ABCD's of Melanoma

When you hear skin cancer, what do you think the cause usually is? If you thought the sun, you are correct, in a way. Yes, the sun is a major contributor to skin caner, but skin cancer also forms on other parts of the body that don't get as much sun as others. The feet, for example, are not as exposed to the sun as other parts of the body, but they have their own set of skin cancers to be concerned about.

Skin cancers of the feet are more often related to viruses, exposure to chemicals, chronic inflammation or irritation, or inherited traits. They tend to be overlooked in routine medical examinations, so take a proactive stance when it comes to your feet and give them a look every now and again.

Podiatrists are uniquely trained in the detection and management of skin disease. Skin cancers on the lower extremities can take on a very different appearance from those on other parts of the body. Podiatrists use their clinical examinations and skin biopsies to determine the occurrence and type of skin cancer. Just like your family doctor, podiatrists send off the skin biopsies to the lab to be analyzed. A skin biopsy is a simple procedure in which a small sample of the skin lesion is obtained, sent to the lab, and analyzed by a skin pathologist. If the lesion is malignant, your podiatrist will recommend the best course of treatment for the condition.

ABCD's of Melanoma... what to look for if you spot a lesion on your lower extremity:

• Asymmetry - If divided in half, the sides don't match.
• Borders - The look scalloped, uneven, or ragged.
• Color - It may have more than one color. The colors may have an uneven distribution.
• Diameter - It can appear wider than a pencil eraser (greater than 6mm)

If you spot a lesion, mole, bump, or patch on the skin that meets any of the above criteria, please contact my office immediately. 

Picture by Will Blake (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons