Off The Record

These 4 Symptoms Are Frequently Seen In Hands And Feet Before Cancer Develops

Published on February 7, 2025

Before the disease manifests, the hands and feet may display warning symptoms that could indicate an underlying medical condition, including cancer.

Even while these symptoms don’t necessarily indicate cancer, it’s nevertheless vital to be aware of them as early warning indications.

Here are four typical indicators to look out for:

Changes in Skin Color:

Darkening, redness, or a bluish tinge in your hands and feet that you can’t explain could be an indication of cancer or other underlying health issues.

Conditions like melanoma or other malignancies that impact the skin or blood circulation may be linked to changes in the skin.

Swelling

Inexplicable hand or foot swelling, particularly if it persists or gets worse over time, may indicate an underlying problem, such as cancer.

This can be a consequence of cancer treatment or connected to the spread of malignancy. Additionally, swelling could indicate lymphedema (fluid retention), which can happen in some malignancies, or a blood clot.

Pain or Numbness:

Unexpected pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands or feet may be an indication of nerve damage brought on by cancer or its treatment.

This is especially crucial when the cancer has gone to the nerves, as in the case of prostate, lung, or bone cancer.

Changes in Nails:

Cancer may occasionally be connected to abnormalities in the nails, such as thickness, discoloration, or the formation of white or purple streaks.

For instance, black striations beneath the nails may be a sign of melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Additionally, nails may become brittle, discolored, or grow vertical ridges as a result of cancer therapies like chemotherapy.

It is crucial to keep in mind that these symptoms may potentially be linked to other illnesses.

For an accurate diagnosis and course of therapy, it’s critical to consult a doctor if you observe any of these symptoms or other strange changes in your hands or feet.

The results of cancer treatment can be greatly enhanced by early detection and intervention.