Cancer of the toe

Skin cancer of the legs is a very aggressive disease in which the skin of the lower extremities is affected by a malignant formation, very often a large number of repeated lesions are formed. This disease spreads quite quickly, affecting exposed areas of the body.

Skin cancer on the leg mainly comes in two forms: squamous cell and basal cell, and accounts for 90% of all cases.

The basal cell type is often characterized by fairly rapid growth of cancer cells, and the reappearance of the tumor is very common. The peculiarity of this type is that the appearance of secondary lesions is almost always absent. It is for this reason that this type of disease occupies a place between malignant and benign formations. At an early stage, the patient can be completely cured of this disease, and without its reoccurrence.

The squamous cell type is characterized by infiltrative growth of infected cells, which is accompanied by damage to the lymph nodes, as the cells spread deep into the tissues. Forms into several foci of the disease. This form often affects older people over 50 years of age. Later stages are dangerous for the body. Squamous cell carcinoma is accompanied by constant discomfort for the patient, as well as severe pain.

Melanoma is very rare on the lower extremities. It is reborn from melanocytes. It is found in only 10% of all formations. But, despite the low percentage of its occurrence, it has the highest mortality rate. When it occurs, a person suffers from severe stabbing pain symptoms, as well as burning and frequent itching of the affected area.

Sarcoma is the rarest disease, occurring in only 0.5% of cases. Characterized by damage to healthy cells in the connective tissue. At the same time, their spread to healthy organs develops very quickly.

Provoking factors

Skin cancer on the leg photo more clearly depicts the manifestation of the disease.

There are various reasons for the appearance of this disease. We can highlight:

prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, if a person is in the sun for a long time, then various cell mutations can occur in areas of the skin, which subsequently develop into cancerous ones. Long-term exposure to the sun is especially dangerous for people with light skin type or freckles, since they are susceptible to high risk of disease;

exposure to ionized radiation, X-rays affect the genetic structure of elements and can cause atypical development, thereby provoking this disease;

decreased immunity, which can result in low body resistance to cancer cells;

chronic trauma can cause the development of a cancerous tumor, as it provokes the activation of recovery processes;

Proliferation of nodules on the skin

A precancerous condition of the body, which is divided into the following types:

obligate precancer (this is a pathological condition in a certain place, which subsequently degenerates into a cancerous tumor).

facultative precancer (this is a local process that can develop into cancer only after a certain disease, the bacteria of which can cause mutations in the body’s cells).

Symptoms of skin cancer on the legs in its various forms can manifest themselves in different ways, so you should be very careful about your body, and if there is the slightest change, consult a specialist.

With the basal cell type, at the initial stage a tumor appears that looks like a red nodule. Accompanied by severe itching. Then the tumor can reach large sizes in a fairly short time. Its surface is covered with ulcers. In later stages, cancer cells attack blood vessels and nerve endings.

Signs of skin cancer on the leg in the squamous cell form are of two types:

the appearance of a bulge that rises above the skin and has a dense base;

can manifest itself in the form of ulcers, inside of which there is purulent fluid. It is this form that gives rise to secondary lesions in the area of ​​the lymph nodes.

Melanoma can occur at the site of age spots and moles. It looks like a nodule. With this type of disease, a fairly large number of secondary foci are formed in more distant organs and tissues of the body.

Later stages of skin cancer are accompanied by general malaise, apathy, fatigue, high body temperature and rapid weight loss.

In order to determine the type of cancer, an external examination and biopsy are performed, the results of which will give an idea of ​​the nature and extent of the disease.

Treatment of skin cancer of the legs

The main treatment for skin cancer on the lower extremities is surgical removal. Moreover, if the operation is performed in the early stages, then there is a high probability that the tumor will not spread again.

Another treatment method is also used - radiation therapy. It is mainly used before surgery. The patient is subjected to a certain amount of radiation, which is determined by the doctor based on the results of the study. This procedure stops the growth of infected cells, creating favorable conditions for surgical intervention.

Currently, treatment requires chemotherapy after surgery. Therefore, the specialist prescribes special drugs that contribute to the appearance of the disease in the future. The doctor determines the dose and composition of the drugs based on studies of the body, as well as taking into account all the characteristics of the patient’s body.

First symptoms, symptoms and diagnosis of nail cancer: on the foot and hand

Nail cancer is a malignant lesion of the pigment cells of the skin. Its other names are subungual melanoma or nail melanoma. Pathology can occur on both the arms and legs, most often on the big toes. In the early stages, it is practically asymptomatic, develops quickly and gives numerous metastases.

It has not been established exactly why nail melanoma occurs. However, there are a number of factors that provoke the disease:

1. Sunbathing or visiting a solarium. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays negatively affects the functionality of the dermis and contributes to the malignant degeneration of skin cells.
2. People with fair skin, red hair, blue eyes and numerous freckles are at risk.
3. Most often, the pathology occurs in people over 50 years of age. Moreover, men are more susceptible to the disease - 4% of all cancer patients. While in women, nail cancer occurs in 3% of cases.
4. If you have a family history of cancer, the likelihood of subungual melanoma increases.
5. Reasons also include a decrease in the body's defenses, poor nutrition, and a lack of vitamins and minerals.
6. Finger injuries: fractures, dislocations, bruises, bone cracks.
7. Regular exposure to harsh industrial chemicals.

Although no direct relationship has been found between race and nail cancer, the pathology is most often found in African Americans (up to 77% of clinical cases) and Asians (15%). The disease is found less frequently in Europeans – 1% of the total number of patients.

The onset of nail cancer is difficult to track, since the pathology is almost invisible. In addition, subungual melanoma can easily be confused with spinules or other benign formations. [/wpmfc_cab_si]

The following symptoms subsequently appear:

8. Dark spot in the nail bed. It gradually grows and turns into a black stripe running down the middle of the nail plate.
9. After a few months, the stain may completely cover the nail.
10. In addition to being black, subungual melanoma can take on a dark blue, dark red, brown or purplish hue.
11. Bleeding even with minor injuries.
12. Formation of ulcers around the nail.
13. Discharge of purulent contents.
14. Inflammation of the epidermis and soft tissues near the lesion.
15. Deformation of the nail plate.
16. Sometimes the pathology spreads to the sole.

Additionally, nail melanoma is accompanied by symptoms common to oncogenic diseases: causeless weight loss, fatigue, constant poor health, fever and loss of appetite. These symptoms are observed mainly in the later stages of pathology development.

There are 4 stages of development of nail cancer:

17. In the first, the size of the formation does not exceed 1 mm. There are minor damage to the epidermis that does not bother the patient.
18. On the second, the tumor increases to 2 mm. It wraps around the nail plate and darkens.
19. In the third stage, the cancer metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes, and ulcerations and lesions appear near the nail plate.
20. In the fourth stage, metastases are found in organs (liver, kidneys) and bones.

When symptoms of nail cancer appear, an initial diagnosis is made by a dermatologist. If he suspects that the disease is malignant, further examination is carried out together with an oncologist.

To determine nail melanoma, the following is carried out:

21. Dermatoscopy. It will allow you to determine what caused the lesion: injury or neoplasm. Using a dermatoscope equipped with a magnifying loupe, pathological changes in tissues are detected. This is a key stage of the examination, since the initial stage of nail cancer is externally similar to a hematoma.
22. Biopsy. The collected tissues are sent to the oncology center. Based on them, the laboratory finally establishes a diagnosis. It includes the form of the neoplasm and the stage of development of the pathology.
23. Blood test using tumor markers.

If the disease is detected at the third or fourth stage, additional examinations of adjacent tissues, lymph nodes and major organs are carried out to detect possible metastases.

The main treatment method for nail melanoma is surgical removal of the affected tissue. This is done using:

• cryotherapy – removal of tumors when exposed to low temperatures, used in the early stages;
• excision - used when the pathology has affected all or most of the nail plate and spread to neighboring tissues. The formation and adjacent healthy areas are cut out: muscles and subcutaneous fat. In some cases, complete removal of the phalanx is indicated.

Other methods of therapy are also additionally used:

• before surgery, cytostatic drugs are prescribed to stabilize the malignancy and prevent further relapses;
• X-ray irradiation – carried out in the postoperative period. Under the influence of radioactive rays, cancer cells die, and the spread of metastases is prevented;
• chemotherapy - used if metastases are found in organs or bones.

The prognosis for treatment of nail cancer is positive if the pathology is detected at the initial stage: up to 87% of patients survive. Unfortunately, the disease is usually detected at the 3rd or 4th stage, when metastases have spread to other tissues and organs. In this case, survival rate for 5 years is 40% of all clinical cases.

Subungual melanoma is a rapidly progressive oncogenic disease. In terms of the speed of development, it is in second place after lung cancer. Most often, the pathology manifests itself in adulthood and old age. However, recently it has also been found in young people and even children.

Diagnosis and treatment of nail cancer

Not only the skin, internal organs, bones and mucous membranes, but also the nail plates suffer from the malignant spread of pathologically altered cells. Nails are usually affected by a type of cancer such as melanoma. Melanoma is a disorder of the division of pigment cells located on the skin. This is a very dangerous and aggressive tumor that causes metastasis and causes serious complications.

Cancer grows on exposed surfaces, so it's not that hard to spot. The main thing is not to confuse it with another disease. In the case of nails, first the skin under the nail plate suffers, then the plate itself begins to deteriorate. The incidence of nail cancer, according to worldwide statistics, is about 3% of all malignant tumors. Men are more often affected by the disease.

Absolutely anyone can get melanoma of the subungual area, regardless of their country of residence, skin color or status. The exact causes of cancer development are not yet known to science, but there are several factors that in one way or another influence the malignant transformation of healthy cells.

• People with fair skin and red hair, many freckles and blue eyes are more susceptible to cancer;
• Sunbathers may be at risk, since frequent exposure to sunlight has a detrimental effect on the functional processes of the skin. If you receive ultraviolet burns every day, you can become a victim of cancer;
• if there have already been cases of the disease in the family, then the likelihood of getting sick increases 3-4 times;
• over the age of 50, nail melanoma occurs many times more often;
• Solarium lovers independently expose themselves to serious danger. After all, tanning is carried out due to the radiation of ultraviolet rays, which destroy pigment cells;
• weak immunity, lack of vitamins and rest can also have a detrimental effect. People who work with chemicals and aggressive environments are also at risk.

Nail cancer has quite clear external signs, but they begin to appear in later stages, but early development is usually asymptomatic. Most often the nail plate of the thumb is affected.

Subungual melanoma

So far, doctors cannot explain this pattern. Both arms and legs suffer in the same pattern. The first external sign of nail melanoma is darkening of the nail bed. The tumor develops quickly, and over time the entire nail plate is divided in half by a black stripe.

24. A dark spot on the nail plate that gets larger over time. It is not uncommon to have previous finger injuries;
25. within a few months, the stain under the plate can completely cover the entire area;
26. cancer colors: blue-red, blue-black, brown, dark purple;
27. if damaged, bleeding is possible;
28. ulcers form that undermine the nail plate;
29. purulent discharge from under the nail.

At an early stage of cancer, an inflammatory process of the skin around the nail develops. Some types of malignant nail tumors can spread to the sole, causing discomfort during movement. Even doctors often confuse subungual melanoma with ordinary skin warts. To exclude the presence of cancer cells, it is necessary to conduct an appropriate examination.

At a late stage of the tumor process, the skin is destroyed. The nail plate may lag behind. The occurrence of severe bleeding. Pain in the affected areas. Also, in the event of metastases, accompanying symptoms develop: difficulty breathing, frequent cough, headache and general signs of intoxication.

1. At the first stage, the formation of the nail plate reaches a thickness of only 1 mm; the surface of the skin is damaged, but does not cause concern to the person;
2. at the second stage, the cancer reaches a thickness of 2 mm, spreads along the nail plate, and changes pigmentation. The spot grows and begins to darken;
3. at the third stage, cancer cells spread to the nearest lymph nodes, and the skin around the nail may also be affected;
4. at the fourth stage, metastases appear in the liver, lungs, and bones.

Signs of the disease are ambiguous, so if you have the slightest suspicion, you should consult a doctor. Only a qualified specialist can diagnose nail melanoma.

5. To begin with, the situation is assessed visually: size, extent of spread, thickness of the tumor. If there are alarming symptoms, the nail is examined under a special microscope to determine pathological changes;
6. the next stage of diagnosis is a histological examination, which will help answer the question unambiguously: is it cancer or an ordinary hematoma;
7. When a malignant tumor is detected, tomography and ultrasound of organs are performed in order to exclude the presence of metastases.

To treat melanoma, it is completely removed along with some healthy tissue. Fatty tissue and muscle are also excised. The nail plate is completely removed. At an advanced stage, they may suggest amputating the phalanx of the finger. A thorough analysis of a sample of lymphatic tissue is carried out to determine the extent of the spread of the cancer. If metastases are detected, they are additionally excised.

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