TANNER FOOT & ANKLE CLINICS (801) 773-4865 GARY N. OAKS DPM
  • Home
  • Make an Appointment
  • Patient Information
    • Office Visit Handouts
    • Gait Videos
    • Tanner Clinic Patient Portal
    • Rehab and PT after surgery/injury
    • Surgery Instructions and Post Operative Information >
      • Pre Operative Instructions
      • Post Operative Visit Instructions >
        • Ankle stabilization
        • Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession
        • First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion or big toe joint fusion
        • Minimally invasive achiiles tendon repair protocol
      • Assistive Devices
    • Patient Forms and Policies >
      • New Patient History Form
      • Determining Covered Services
      • Disability Form Processing Policy
      • Pain Medications and Controlled Substances
    • Insurances Accepted
    • Shoe & Orthotic Guide >
      • Shoe Fitting
      • Shoe Stores
      • Lacing techniques
      • Orthotic Break In
    • Patient Survey
  • Treatments Provided
    • Common Problems A-J >
      • Ankle Instability
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
      • Blood Clots of the Foot or Leg (DVT)
      • Bone Infections/Osteomylitis
      • Bunion
      • bursitis
      • Callus or Corn
      • Cracked Heels
      • Flat foot
      • Foot Odor
      • Fractured Bones
      • Frostbite
      • Ganglion Cyst
      • Gout
      • Hammertoe
      • Heel Pain
      • Ingrown Toenail
      • Intractable plantar keratosis
      • Joint Pain
    • Common Problems K-Z >
      • Mole/Melanoma
      • Nail Fungus
      • Neuroma
      • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
      • Plantar Wart
      • Puncture Wound
      • Restless Legs
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Skin Cancer
      • Smelly Feet
      • Stress Fractures
      • Sweaty Feet
      • Swollen Ankle (Edema)
      • Thick Nails
      • Tingling Feet (Neuropathy or Sciatica)
      • Tired Feet
      • Ulcers
    • Diabetic Feet >
      • Amputation Prevention
      • Foot Care
      • Peripheral Neuropathy
      • Diabetic Shoegear
      • Wound Care
    • Kids Feet >
      • Flatfeet
      • Heel Pain in Kids
      • Ingrown Toenails in Kids
      • In toeing, Pigeon toe or Genu Valgum
      • Waddling walk, Duck Walk or Genu Valgum
      • Orthotics
    • Sports Medicine >
      • Achilles Tendonitis
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Athletes Foot
      • Biomechanics
      • Joint Pain
      • Orthotics/Arch Supports
      • Running Injuries
      • Shin Slints
  • About Us
  • Location
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Custom Molded Orthotics (CMO)
  • Fall Risk
  • Intermittent Claudication
  • Nutrition and wound healing
  • Opioid Pain Medications-What you need to know
  • Topical Pain Options
  • Peripheral Neuropathy

Moles and Melanoma

Picture
A nevus is commonly referred to as a mole or birthmark.  By definition these are benign lesions.  Moles are specifically melanotic nevus' or lesions with melenin or brown pigmentation.  When the nevus begins to proliferate at a uncontrolled rate melanoma is suspected. 
 
Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the cells of the skin that produce pigmentation (coloration). It is also called malignant melanoma because it spreads to other areas of the body as it grows beneath the surface of the skin.   Melanoma is specific to age range.
 
Melanoma of the feet and legs are often unnoticed in its earliest stage .    Melanoma is most often due to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds.    Intense exposure over a short period of time can increase your chance of having melanoma.  
 
Factors increasing your chance of melanoma include fair skin , freckling , blistering with sunburns before the age of 18, numerous moles especially at a young age. 
Melanoma can be any color including red and white, brown, blue or black, and can occur in any place. 
There are cardinal signs known as the ABCDs of melanoma that are used to diagnose melanoma:  

Asymmetry which means one half is different in shape from the other half.

Border irregularity of the periphery often indicates melanoma.

Color is typically a mix of colors or hues or shades instead of a single, solid color.

Diameter of these types of lesions grows larger than 5 millimeters are cause for concern.

It is important to see a foot and  ankle surgeon if you notice any of these irregularities right away.  Lesions on the bottom of the sole are also uncommon.  If  you notice an increase in growth size over a short period of time this is also a sign  of concern.

Prevention is the key.   Use of sunscreen , appropriate socks and shoe gear, limiting your exposure to intense UV radiation and having an annual physical examination are helpful in the prevention and early detection of melanoma. 


Tanner Foot & Ankle Clinics

Tanner Clinic-Roy
3443 W. 5600 S. Suite #110
Roy, Utah. 84067
(801)773 4865  Appointment 
​
(801) 525-8757 Fax
DISCLAIMER OF Gary N. Oaks DPM
Gary N. Oaks DPM expressly disclaims all warranties and responsibilities of any kind, whether express or implied, for the accuracy or reliability of the content of any information contained in this Web Site, and for the suitability, results, effectiveness or fitness for any particular purpose of the services, procedures, advice or treatments referred to herein, such content and suitability, etc., being the sole responsibility of parties other than Gary N. Oaks DPM, and the reliance upon or use of same by you is at your own independent discretion and risk.
Photo used under Creative Commons from ky_olsen
  • Home
  • Make an Appointment
  • Patient Information
    • Office Visit Handouts
    • Gait Videos
    • Tanner Clinic Patient Portal
    • Rehab and PT after surgery/injury
    • Surgery Instructions and Post Operative Information >
      • Pre Operative Instructions
      • Post Operative Visit Instructions >
        • Ankle stabilization
        • Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession
        • First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion or big toe joint fusion
        • Minimally invasive achiiles tendon repair protocol
      • Assistive Devices
    • Patient Forms and Policies >
      • New Patient History Form
      • Determining Covered Services
      • Disability Form Processing Policy
      • Pain Medications and Controlled Substances
    • Insurances Accepted
    • Shoe & Orthotic Guide >
      • Shoe Fitting
      • Shoe Stores
      • Lacing techniques
      • Orthotic Break In
    • Patient Survey
  • Treatments Provided
    • Common Problems A-J >
      • Ankle Instability
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
      • Blood Clots of the Foot or Leg (DVT)
      • Bone Infections/Osteomylitis
      • Bunion
      • bursitis
      • Callus or Corn
      • Cracked Heels
      • Flat foot
      • Foot Odor
      • Fractured Bones
      • Frostbite
      • Ganglion Cyst
      • Gout
      • Hammertoe
      • Heel Pain
      • Ingrown Toenail
      • Intractable plantar keratosis
      • Joint Pain
    • Common Problems K-Z >
      • Mole/Melanoma
      • Nail Fungus
      • Neuroma
      • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
      • Plantar Wart
      • Puncture Wound
      • Restless Legs
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Skin Cancer
      • Smelly Feet
      • Stress Fractures
      • Sweaty Feet
      • Swollen Ankle (Edema)
      • Thick Nails
      • Tingling Feet (Neuropathy or Sciatica)
      • Tired Feet
      • Ulcers
    • Diabetic Feet >
      • Amputation Prevention
      • Foot Care
      • Peripheral Neuropathy
      • Diabetic Shoegear
      • Wound Care
    • Kids Feet >
      • Flatfeet
      • Heel Pain in Kids
      • Ingrown Toenails in Kids
      • In toeing, Pigeon toe or Genu Valgum
      • Waddling walk, Duck Walk or Genu Valgum
      • Orthotics
    • Sports Medicine >
      • Achilles Tendonitis
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Athletes Foot
      • Biomechanics
      • Joint Pain
      • Orthotics/Arch Supports
      • Running Injuries
      • Shin Slints
  • About Us
  • Location
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Custom Molded Orthotics (CMO)
  • Fall Risk
  • Intermittent Claudication
  • Nutrition and wound healing
  • Opioid Pain Medications-What you need to know
  • Topical Pain Options
  • Peripheral Neuropathy