Cancer can affect the fingers, appearing on the skin, under the nails, or in underlying tissues. While often associated with sun exposure, certain types of cancer can develop on the fingers due to other factors. This article explores the different types of cancer that can manifest on the fingers and outlines their potential signs.
Types of Cancer Affecting Fingers
Several types of cancer can affect the fingers, with skin cancers being the most common. These include basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, which can all appear on the skin of the fingers. The skin on the hands, including the fingers, receives significant daily sun exposure, making it susceptible to these cancers.
BCC is a common skin cancer that often presents as a translucent, pearly, or waxy bump. It may also appear as a flat, pale, or pink area. While BCCs rarely spread, they can damage surrounding tissues if left untreated.
SCC is another prevalent skin cancer on the fingers, frequently appearing as a firm, red nodule or a scaly patch that may bleed or crust. It can also resemble a wart-like growth or a non-healing sore. SCC has a higher potential to spread compared to BCC, particularly to lymph nodes.
Melanoma, though less common on the fingers, is a serious type of skin cancer that can develop from existing moles or appear as a new, unusual pigmented growth. A specific form, subungual melanoma, develops under the nail. This type can appear as a dark brown or black streak in the nail, often mistaken for a bruise.
Cancers originating in the nail unit, such as subungual melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the nail unit, are particularly relevant to fingers. Subungual melanoma typically begins in the nail matrix and can present as a discolored line that runs vertically on the nail. Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail unit is the most common malignancy of the nail unit, often mimicking other conditions like warts or infections, which can delay diagnosis.
Beyond skin and nail cancers, less common malignant tumors can also affect the bones or soft tissues of the fingers. These include rare types of sarcomas, such as epithelioid sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer that can start as a growth under the skin. While malignant bone tumors in the hand are rare, chondrosarcoma, which begins in cartilage cells, is one type that can affect finger bones.
Recognizing Potential Signs
Recognizing changes on the skin and nails of the fingers is important for identifying potential concerns. New or changing moles on the fingers should be observed for asymmetry, irregular borders, varied color, a diameter larger than 6 millimeters, or any evolution in size, shape, or color. Non-healing sores, scabs, or lesions that persist for weeks are also significant warning signs.
Skin changes can include red, scaly patches that may itch or bleed, or pearly or waxy bumps. These can indicate basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas. Any unusual skin growth that is bleeding, oozing, or begins to crust should prompt evaluation.
Nail changes warrant careful attention, especially dark streaks under the nail not due to trauma. These brown or black streaks, particularly if they increase in size or affect the skin around the nail (Hutchinson’s sign), can be a sign of subungual melanoma. Nail dystrophy, involving changes in the nail’s shape, thickness, or texture, may also occur.
Other concerning nail symptoms include splitting, lifting, or bleeding from the nail bed. Persistent pain or tenderness in the nail bed that does not resolve should also be noted. These nail alterations may resemble benign conditions like bruises or fungal infections, making medical assessment important.
General signs on the finger that may suggest a problem include unexplained lumps or swellings. These can be firm or soft, and may or may not be painful. Persistent pain or tenderness in the finger that does not subside could also be a symptom requiring medical attention. While these signs do not exclusively indicate cancer and can result from benign conditions, they do warrant professional medical evaluation.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seeking medical attention is advisable for any new, changing, or concerning lesion, lump, or symptom on the finger. This is particularly important if a spot is persistent, growing, bleeding, or painful.
A general practitioner can provide an initial assessment and may refer to a specialist for further evaluation. Dermatologists are frequently involved in diagnosing skin and nail cancers. For suspected bone or soft tissue tumors, a hand surgeon or oncologist might be the appropriate specialist.
Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches
Diagnosing cancer on the finger typically begins with a physical examination by a healthcare professional. The doctor will visually inspect the affected area and gather information about the symptoms and their duration.
A biopsy is often the definitive diagnostic tool, involving the removal of a small tissue sample from the suspicious area for microscopic examination. This can be a skin biopsy, nail biopsy, or even a bone biopsy, depending on the suspected location of the cancer. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRI, may be utilized if bone or deeper soft tissue involvement is suspected.
Treatment approaches for finger cancers vary significantly based on the specific type of cancer, its size, location, and whether it has spread. Surgical removal is often the primary treatment for localized cancers on the finger. This involves excising the cancerous tissue with a margin of healthy tissue around it.
Other potential treatments might include radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, or chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Targeted therapy, which focuses on specific vulnerabilities within cancer cells, can also be an option. These non-surgical treatments are less common for very localized finger cancers but may be considered for more advanced cases or specific cancer types. Treatment plans are always individualized, tailored to the unique diagnosis and patient circumstances.