Fax: (239) 692-9436
Tel: 239-430-3668A patient of Family Foot & Leg Center, PA in Naples, FL was seen for a trauma to one foot — which was taken care of in surgery — but he also had a dark spot on the other leg. It had started about five years earlier, after he scraped his leg on an object and it bled. There was no family history of cancer, and he was not even sure he should bring up such a small problem. Because the pattern looked suspicious and he was not born with the lesion, a 3 mm punch biopsy was performed. The report came back: malignant melanoma. He was referred immediately to a dermatologist and general surgeon for definitive care.
Melanoma on the foot or leg is among the most dangerous skin cancers, in part because it is so often found late — hidden on the sole, between the toes, or under a nail where people rarely look. Update: this patient’s melanoma was the superficial spreading type, very much on the surface. The dermatologist removed the majority of it, and an oncologic surgeon removed the rest along with a lymph node biopsy. His leg — and his life — were saved.
Know the Warning Signs: the ABCDEs of Melanoma
- A — Asymmetry: one half does not match the other
- B — Border: edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred
- C — Color: more than one shade, or uneven brown, black, red, or blue
- D — Diameter: larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm), though melanomas can be smaller
- E — Evolving: changing in size, shape, color, or starting to itch or bleed
Melanoma Can Hide on the Feet
A type called acral lentiginous melanoma appears on the soles, palms, and under the nails, and can be mistaken for a bruise, a blood blister, or a dark line in the nail. Any new, changing, or non-healing dark spot on the foot or leg — or a pigmented streak under a toenail — deserves a professional look. As Dr. Lam says, “When in doubt, biopsy it out.” Podiatrists examine feet and legs all day and are well positioned to catch these lesions early, when the cure rate is very high.
Living in sunny Florida makes sun protection essential — daily sunscreen and UV-protective clothing lower your risk. If you notice a suspicious spot, do not wait.
For more information or to schedule a skin and nail evaluation with a board-certified foot and ankle specialist, call (239) 430-3668 (FOOT) or book online at NaplesPodiatrist.com.
Serving Southwest Florida since 2005, Family Foot & Leg Center has 9 convenient locations throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties — Naples, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota. We provide pediatric to geriatric foot and ankle care: ingrown toenails, heel pain, bunions, foot & ankle arthritis, plantar fasciitis, foot & ankle surgery, custom orthotics, and diabetic wound care — with in-office X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, and minor surgical suites. Home of the Lam Minimally Invasive No-Scar Bunion Surgery. Same-day appointments and easy online scheduling.
