The skin develops small dimples or depressions, creating an appearance similar to the surface of an orange.
This happens when swelling and changes in the underlying tissue affect the skin's normal structure.
Peau d'orange is particularly important when it appears on the breast because it can be associated with inflammatory breast cancer.
However, similar skin changes may occur with other conditions involving swelling or inflammation.
The appearance alone cannot establish a diagnosis.
If you notice new, unexplained thickening, dimpling, or swelling of the breast, particularly when it develops quickly, arrange prompt medical assessment.
Early investigation is important because inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer.
4. A Persistent Rash That Itches or Burns
Itching is a common symptom of many skin conditions.
Eczema, allergic reactions, fungal infections, dry skin, and medication reactions are all frequent causes.
However, some cancers involving the skin or immune system can also produce persistent itching.
Cutaneous lymphoma may cause patches or plaques that itch for long periods.
Certain blood cancers can also be associated with generalized itching, sometimes without an obvious rash.
In addition, advanced liver disease, kidney disease, and other systemic conditions can produce itching.
The important distinction is the overall pattern.
A rash that spreads, changes appearance, becomes thicker, or repeatedly fails to respond to treatment should be evaluated.
Persistent itching throughout the body without an obvious explanation also deserves medical attention, particularly when accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, or enlarged lymph nodes.
5. Unexplained Purple or Red Skin Lesions
Not every cancer-related skin change appears as a flat red patch.
Some blood and immune-system cancers can produce raised, purple, red, or bruise-like lesions.
One example is cutaneous involvement by leukemia.
Certain types of leukemia can affect the skin through the infiltration of abnormal blood cells.
The resulting lesions are sometimes called leukemia cutis.
They may appear as:
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Firm red or purple bumps.
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Raised plaques.
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Brownish or flesh-colored nodules.
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Multiple lesions across different body areas.
These lesions can occur on the arms, legs, trunk, face, or other locations.
They are uncommon and cannot be reliably identified through appearance alone.
A skin biopsy and blood investigations may be necessary.
Other conditions, including ordinary bruising, vascular disorders, medication reactions, and infections, can produce similar findings.
New unexplained purple lesions, particularly when accompanied by unusual bleeding, frequent bruising, fever, or fatigue, should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
6. A Wound or Sore That Refuses to Heal
A persistent wound is another skin change that should not be ignored.
Most minor cuts and scratches gradually heal as the body repairs damaged tissue.
However, certain skin cancers can appear as sores that repeatedly crust, bleed, or fail to heal.
Basal cell carcinoma may develop as a shiny or pearly bump, a persistent sore, or a lesion that repeatedly bleeds and forms a crust.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a rough, scaly, thickened, or ulcerated area.
Some lesions develop on areas frequently exposed to sunlight, including the face, ears, scalp, neck, arms, and hands.
Melanoma can also develop in an existing mole or appear as a new pigmented lesion.
A sore that does not heal is not necessarily cancer.
Poor circulation, diabetes, pressure injuries, and chronic infections can also interfere with wound healing.
Nevertheless, a lesion that persists, repeatedly bleeds, changes, or grows should be examined by a dermatologist.
7. Sudden Skin Changes Alongside Unexplained Weight Loss
Sometimes the most important warning sign is not the skin change itself but the combination of symptoms.
Unexplained weight loss can occur in several types of cancer.
It may result from changes in metabolism, inflammation, reduced appetite, or the body's response to illness.
If persistent skin changes occur alongside unintentional weight loss, the combination deserves medical evaluation.
Other symptoms worth mentioning include:
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Persistent fever.
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Night sweats.
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Unusual fatigue.
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Enlarged lymph nodes.
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Loss of appetite.
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Recurrent infections.
These symptoms are not specific to cancer.
Many infections, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic conditions can produce similar problems.
However, unexplained symptoms that persist or occur together should be investigated rather than attributed automatically to stress or aging.
8. New or Changing Moles
One of the most important cancer-related skin changes involves moles.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
It can sometimes develop in an existing mole, but many melanomas appear as new lesions.
The ABCDE approach can help people recognize potentially suspicious pigmented spots.
A – Asymmetry
One half of the mole looks different from the other.
B – Border
The edges are irregular, uneven, or poorly defined.
C – Color
The lesion contains different colors or unusual shades.
D – Diameter
The lesion is larger than approximately 6 millimeters, although melanoma can be smaller.
E – Evolving
The mole changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or other characteristics.
Another warning sign is a lesion that looks noticeably different from a person's other moles.
This is sometimes described as the ugly duckling sign.
Not every changing mole is melanoma, but suspicious changes deserve prompt dermatological assessment.
Early diagnosis is particularly important because melanoma can spread to other parts of the body.
9. Unusual Skin Changes Around the Armpits, Groin, or Skin Folds
Certain cancers and systemic conditions can cause changes in skin folds.
One example is acanthosis nigricans.
This condition produces darkened, thickened, velvety skin, often around the neck, armpits, and groin.
In many people, acanthosis nigricans is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, or hormonal conditions.
However, a rare form can be associated with internal malignancies, particularly certain gastrointestinal cancers.
The cancer-associated form may appear suddenly, spread rapidly, or involve extensive areas of the body.
Other unusual features may include changes involving the mouth or palms.
This association is uncommon.
Most people with acanthosis nigricans do not have cancer.
Nevertheless, sudden and extensive skin changes, especially in an older adult without an obvious metabolic explanation, deserve medical investigation.
10. Skin Changes Accompanied by Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small structures that help the immune system recognize and respond to infections and other abnormal processes.
They can become enlarged when the body fights an infection.
This is extremely common and often temporary.
However, persistent enlarged lymph nodes can sometimes be associated with lymphoma or other cancers.
When a skin lesion appears alongside enlarged lymph nodes, a healthcare professional may need to investigate the possibility of infection, inflammation, or malignancy.
Warning features may include: