What should you know about melanoma on a toe?

Melanoma is a cancer of pigment-producing cells. On a toe it may appear as a new spot, an uneven dark patch, a changing mole, or pigment extending around a nail. Changes in outline, colour, size, crusting, tenderness, or bleeding deserve attention. Repeated pressure or an injury can also alter a mark, so appearance alone cannot confirm melanoma.

A clinician may inspect the toe, nail, and nearby skin with magnification. If needed, a biopsy examines tissue in a laboratory. This distinguishes melanoma from a bruise, infection, benign mole, or other nail and skin condition.

Arrange a prompt examination and mention any recent injury, new footwear, nail treatment, or change noticed after removing polish. Avoid covering the area with polish or repeatedly filing it while waiting. Photographing the mark can help show change, but it should not postpone an appointment.

Confirmed melanoma is commonly treated by surgical excision with planning tailored to the toe and lesion. The care team may discuss skin cancer surgery, tumour removal surgery, or a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Immunotherapy may be considered when disease has features that call for treatment beyond local surgery.

Seek prompt review for a toe mark that is new, enlarging, irregular, multicoloured, painful, crusted, or bleeding, or for pigment that changes beneath a toenail. Get urgent care if bleeding continues despite gentle pressure, infection-like redness spreads quickly, or swelling and severe pain develop.

Ask whether the change is in the skin, nail, or both, and whether biopsy is needed. Discuss how much tissue may be removed, how walking and wound care could be affected, whether lymph nodes need evaluation, and what follow-up will look for.