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Most people have never heard of finger cancer. This is why it is so easy to dismiss the symptoms altogether, or to attribute them to something else. It is a good idea to be alert to the symptoms of finger cancer, and consult your physician if they do occur.

One form of finger cancer is skin cancer. Skin cancer can occur on any part of the body. Although it predominantly occurs on areas of the skin which have been exposed to a dangerous amount of sunlight or harmful ultraviolet rays, this is not always the case. As the hands are generally exposed more than most of the other parts of the body, skin cancer on the hands and fingers occurs more frequently than one might realize.

The general symptoms of skin cancer apply to skin cancer on the fingers. You may experience a sore which does not have a cause, or sores which do not heal as completely or rapidly as they should. You may notice something which appears as a birthmark which was not present before, or a change to a birthmark which was present. These changes may include a change in color, spreading, uneven edges, or bleeding. If any of these symptoms occur, you should have them evaluated by a physician immediately. Skin cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer in America today. It is also one of the most deadly. Both the fact that it spreads so rapidly and is often left undiagnosed for a prolonged period of time account for the large number of deaths from skin cancer.

Another form of skin cancer is a malignant tumor. If you notice a growth on your finger which was not there before, it should be checked by a doctor. While it may be nothing more than a callus, a cyst, or a benign tumor, the sooner you have it tested the sooner it can be treated if it is cancer. If the tumor is localized, you will have a much better chance of full recovery than if it has been allowed to spread. Although growths on the fingers are quite common, especially for people who regularly work with their hands, the only way for you to be sure that it is not a malignancy is to have it checked by your health care provider.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, being tested for the possibility of finger cancer is not very difficult. In most cases, it requires an outpatient visit and only a local anesthesia. The doctor will perform a biopsy, which involves removing a sampling of cells from the affected area. It is sent to the laboratory for an evaluation. Your doctor will then know whether it is cancer, or whether it is only something minor and harmless.

While the symptoms of finger cancer are not always obvious, you can reduce your risk of complications by being alert to the symptoms. If they do occur, you should see your doctor immediately. In the event that the symptoms do signal cancer, immediate treatment will significantly increase your chance of a complete recovery. It will reduce the risk of complications, and also increase your overall quality of life.