Skin Cancer of the Foot and Ankle
“Skin cancer” is a general term for three distinct cancers
that can appear on the foot: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell
carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, appears on
sun-exposed areas as a smooth, raised bump or a sore that is not healing. It
rarely metastasizes or causes death because it grows slowly and rarely spreads.
It is easily treated with surgery or radiation.
Squamous cell carcinoma appears on sun-exposed areas as thick, red,
scaly patches or as a bleeding ulcer. It is more serious than basal cell
carcinoma because in some instances it may spread to other areas of the body.
Melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, begins in the
cells of the skin that produce pigmentation (coloration) and spreads to other
areas of the body as it grows beneath the surface of the skin. Read more about malignant melanoma of
the foot here.
Treatment of skin cancer, which varies depending on its type
and location and the age of the patient, may include chemotherapy, radiation
and surgical excision. Referral to an oncologist may be necessary
Information provided by The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons