Foot is the worst place for melanoma

By Geoff Michaels, April 22nd, 2013 | Health | 0 Comments

The overall survival rate for those with melanoma on the foot is only one in two, according to a new study.

Malignant melanoma is increasing faster than any other cancer. A report from researchers in Rhode Island, USA, reveals that the location of a melanoma is a significant factor in survival chances.

Melanoma is the most common malignancy of the foot and it’s most likely to be misdiagnosed than melanomas located elsewhere on the body. Data from this study reveal that five year survival for patients with a melanoma of the foot or ankle is just 52 per cent. This compares with 84 per cent for patients with melanoma on the thigh or calf.

The study is a wake up call for patients and physicians to be especially careful to check the foot for signs of skin cancer, for these are not as obvious as a lesion on the face or arm. This means they are more advanced when they are finally picked up on.

Melanoma can be found anywhere on the foot, including under a toenail. Those with fair skin, blue eyes or red hair are most at risk, as are those with a family or personal history of skin cancer. Anyone with moles on their feet should keep a careful check on them and have any that change in color or shape biopsied by a foot and ankle surgeon.