Skin Cancer

Unusual Places You Can Get Skin Cancer

Patty Weasler, RN

Published on July 21, 2020 Updated on September 15, 2020

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When you think of all the places where you can get skin cancer you probably think of your face, arms, and legs. But it turns out skin cancer can grow on just about any area of your skin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.

Scalp

One place on your body you might not suspect skin cancer is on your scalp. For most people, it’s well protected from the sun because of their hair but that doesn’t necessarily eliminate your risk for skin cancer. According to WebMD, “13-percent of total skin cancers are on the scalp, usually the less serious nonmelanoma cancers like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.” Skin cancer on your scalp can look like a small, smooth lump that bleeds or is crusty.

To protect your scalp from skin cancer wear a hat when you’re outside in the sun. If a hat isn’t feasible then use sunscreen. Spray sunscreen is a good way to get that UV sunlight protection on your scalp without using greasy lotion sunscreens. If you think a spot on your scalp is skin cancer see your doctor for confirmation.

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Under Your Fingernail

Who would’ve ever thought you can get skin cancer under your finger or toenail? It’s true, sublingual melanoma is a type of skin cancer that grows in the nail bed tissue underneath the nails. It looks like a dark vertical line that can spread slowly says Arizona Dermatology. It’s not usually caused by sunlight exposure and is sometimes confused for a fungal infection or bruise. But unlike a bruise or infection, the dark area doesn’t grow out.

Before you go to your dermatologist for a skin cancer check make sure to take off any nail polish or acrylic nails to let your doctor get a good look at your nail beds. Thankfully this type of cancer is rare. The source reports that, “subungual melanomas account for about 2-percent of all melanomas, and they can be found on either your finger or toes.”

Soles of Your Feet

Cancer on the bottom of your feet, it’s true it can happen! This type of skin cancer is called acral lentiginous melanoma, says WebMD. “It typically starts as a flat dark patch that is clearly distinct from the skin around it, but it may sometimes be reddish or orange in color” reports the source. This melanoma can look like many different foot conditions like moles, ulcers, splinters, or bruises.

It’s time to start giving the soles of your feet the same attention that you give the rest of your body when it comes to skin cancer. As the acral lentiginous melanoma grows it will become more irregular in size. It will grow deep into the skin and surrounding tissue making it painful to walk, some people may mistake it for a plantar wart. Always make sure to call your doctor if you have any new skin growths.

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Ears

It might not be too surprising that you can get skin cancer on your ears. They stick out from your head and aren’t covered from the sun when you wear a typical baseball hat. The unusual thing about skin cancer on the outside of the ears is that it can spread to the inside of the ears. According to WebMD, squamous or basal cell skin cancer can spread to the inside of your ear if it isn’t treated quick enough.

The inside of your ears has a canal that connects your outer ear to the middle ear. It’s in your middle ear that sound is transmitted to your brain. Your ear is an easy place to overlook when putting on sunscreen. But always be diligent and cover your ears. When you don’t have sunscreen or are unable to put it on your ears wear a wide brim hat. Your ears and skin will thank you!

Palms of the Hands

Another unusual place you can get skin cancer is on the palms of your hands. “If you have darker skin, melanoma is more likely in body areas that don’t get much sun, such as the palms of the hands…” says WebMD. And just like the soles of your feet, acral lentiginous melanoma is usually the type of cancer that affects the palms of the hands. This can be a serious diagnosis, usually because those diagnosed don’t realize it until they have had it for a while.

Most melanomas are caused by UV light exposure, but acral lentiginous melanoma doesn’t seem to be caused by sunlight. “ALM sometimes develops from an existing mole, but it can also occur for no apparent reason on healthy skin,” reports Medical News Today. Look for a raised or thick patch of skin on your palm and if you see anything suspicious put in a call to your dermatologist.

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Mucous Membranes

Another unusual spot to get skin cancer is on your mucous membranes. Mucous membranes line the mouth, throat, urinary tract, and anus. Skin cancer in one of these locations is incredibly rare but does occur. Mucosal melanoma makes up only 0.03-percent of all new cancer diagnoses says the Cancer Network.

Compared to other skin melanoma mucosal melanoma usually occurs later in life with diagnosis typically around 70 years of age says the Cancer Network. The incidence of mucosal melanoma has not gone up over the years as other melanomas but the 5 year survival rate is much lower reports the source. It’s also much more common in women than men, 87-percent higher in women than men to be exact!

Eyelids

While an unusual place to think of for skin cancer, the eyelids are actually a somewhat common place for cancer to form. According to Arizona Dermatology, “the eyelids are a common site for non-melanoma skin cancers (between 5- and 10-percent of basal and squamous cell carcinomas occur on the eyelid).” When comparing the upper and lower eyelid, the lower eyelid is where the cancer develops most of the time.

Skin cancer on the eyelid is usually caused by the sun. To help protect yourself, wear a hat and sunglasses when you’re outside. If you do develop eyelid skin cancer it can be surgically removed and is not serious if done early says WebMD. There are so many different places for skin cancer to grow, who would’ve thought the eyelid is one of the more common spots!?

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Eyes

Melanoma is one of the most serious types of skin cancer. But it turns out it can affect more than just your skin, it can cause cancer in your eye. According to WebMD, “skin cells called melanocytes grow out of control and form a tumor. It’s the most common form of cancer that starts in the eye, and it can spread to other parts of your body through your lymph nodes.” The cancer can cause changes in your vision or the actual appearance of your eye.

When melanoma starts in the eye it usually starts in the uveal, or the middle layer of the eyeball says the American Cancer Society. Rarely does it start in the conjunctiva, but when it does it is an aggressive form of cancer that grows into other nearby tissues, says the source. If you have vision changes or other concerns about your eyes make sure you put in a call to your doctor to have it evaluated.

Lips

It seems like no spot on your body is immune to forming cancer, your lips are even at risk. Skin cancer that forms on the lips is typically non-melanoma cancer, usually basal or squamous cell, says WebMD. Interestingly enough “your lower lip is 12 times more likely to get it than your upper lip, which doesn’t get as much sun” reports the source. And men should be aware that they are more likely to develop lip cancer than women.

Two risk factors for developing lip skin cancer are exposure to sunlight and the human papillomavirus (HPV) says WebMD. Thankfully, it’s easy to find lip moisturizers with SPF in them. This will help protect your lips from the sun’s damaging UV rays which will ultimately decrease the likelihood of developing skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about ways to minimize your risk for contracting HPV.

Signs and Symptoms of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Tongue

Our last unusual place that you can get skin cancer is on the tongue. It’s usually a squamous cell cancer that is more common if you use tobacco or drink alcohol, reports WebMD. It can look like a sore on your tongue that just doesn’t go away. Depending on the exact location of the cancer, it can be diagnosed as tongue cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.

Some of the symptoms that you might notice are flat, white patches that don’t scrape off the tongue easily, sores on the tongue, a painful tongue, or a hoarse voice says Medical News Today. These symptoms can mimic other conditions making it hard to determine the exact cause. Your doctor will take a biopsy of skin cells to help decide what’s causing the issues and if it is in fact cancer.

Prevention

Skin cancer can affect anyone. It’s important to know your family history and keep your doctor in the loop with any medical changes. The best way to manage skin cancer is to never get it. While many of the risk factors for skin cancer are things you can control, like staying out of the sun and avoiding infections. There are many risk factors that you have no control over, like your genetics and skin color.

An early skin cancer diagnosis is often very treatable. This really illustrates the importance of checking your skin on a regular basis. If you have any questions about moles or other skin changes make an appointment with a trusted dermatologist. They will be able to guide you through a thorough skin check and determine if any skin changes are serious.

Patty Weasler, RN

Patty is a freelance health writer and nurse (BSN, CCRN). She has worked as a critical care nurse for over 10 years and loves educating people about their health. When she's not working, Patty enjoys any outdoor activity that she can do with her husband and three kids.