Melanoma - Can you tell the difference?

Sun related lesions on the feet can be difficult to identify, particularly in the nail and on the sole of your foot. Often cancerous lesions will look like warts, corns, bruises or even just a freckle.

The 3 types of skin cancer that can affect your feet include the following:

1.       Malignant Melanoma – melanoma is a life threatening but potentially treatable form of cancer if diagnosed and managed early. The lower limb is the location of 30% of all melanomas, with foot and ankle lesions representing around 3-15%. The growths often resemble other skin conditions with no consistent features of an early melanoma. Family history of melanoma is an important part of the screening process.

Since melanoma can spread quickly if not diagnosed early, it is important that you have all skin growths on your feet assessed regularly to monitor for changes and allow early detection.

2.       Squamous Cell Carcinoma – these are commonly associated with chronic sun exposure and are located in the upper layers of the skin. Any changes in colour, shape, or size, or sudden onset of pain in non-cancerous lesion of the foot should raise concerns of possible malignancy. The most common presentation is a small scaly bump or plaque that can look inflamed

3.       Basal Cell Carcinoma – these often have no symptoms and tend to grow slowly without spreading to other parts of the body. They will often present as a pearly lump or a dry, scaly area that can be bright pink in colour or shiny and pale

As with a lot of things, prevention is better than a cure. Protecting your feet with sunscreen or even closed in shoes if you are spending a day in the run will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer on your feet.

Please consult with your podiatrist, doctor or skin specialist if you notice any skin or nail changes that can’t be explained.

*If you have followed the link from Facebook, the melanoma is picture A. This patient has a history of melanoma but was treated for a fungal infection first before it was biopsied to confirm melanoma. They have since had the top of the toe amputated