An intensely itchy spot between a female runner's toes was a sign of a rare skin cancer form.
390487 07: (FILE PHOTO) Detail of a person with malignant melanoma, a malignant skin tumor involving the skin cells that produce pigment.
Itchy Spot Between Toes Turns Out to Be Melanoma Sign
MailOnline reports that Amy Jardon, 40, notes that the spot started itching in 2015. Later on, a pinhead-sized brown spot emerged in the specific spot.
Per Mirror, Ms. Jardon tried removing the itch by simply scratching. However, the craving did not fade. As she observed the area closer, she found a small spot with rough and surrounding edges.
She expressed that she had never seen it before. Ms. Jardon had a scheduled doctor's appointment for something else, and upon talking to her doctor about it, the physician told her not to worry.
However, to be sure, she was referred to undergo a biopsy. Ms. Jargon then received news of a melanoma on her feet. More specifically, the diagnosis was the rare acral melanoma, which tends to develop on feet, hands, toenails, or fingernails.
The news came as a shock to her. She explained that she got diagnosed in January to February 2015 and that her mom passed away due to cancer the December before. She also adds that her sister had a different cancer diagnosis six months back.
She went through surgery to have the lesion and the surrounding tissue removed.
Ms. Jargon is a runner and was concerned about how the condition would affect her life, Yahoo! Sports reports. Following the surgery, she had to "keep weight off her foot" for roughly a month.
Later on, after a certain period of recovery, she was able to run marathons once more.
Ms. Jargon has now been cancer-free for the last five years. MailOnline adds that she now undergoes yearly skin checks.
She adds that this is the only type of skin cancer she has had. Itches in other skin areas, however, have made her quite nervous.
Being a survivor of the condition, Ms. Jargon is now working towards raising awareness about acral melanoma. She particularly notes that knowing the symptoms, which are easily missed, could make a huge difference.
What is Acral Melanoma?
According to the Melanoma Research Alliance, acral melanoma is a rare skin melanoma that forms on the feet, soles, palms, or under toenails or fingernails. It is the most common melanoma type among darker skin tones.
The condition starts as a discolored skin patch that grows as time passes. Unlike cutaneous melanoma, it is not thought to be caused by sunlight or UV radiation exposure. Because of this, genetics could factor into its development, WebMD notes.
Due to how it tends to go unnoticed, the condition may yield higher death rates. Hence, if one observes any lasting skin changes, it is important to consult a physician.
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