Everyone experiences itchy skin once in a while. For some people, this may be a symptom of a noncancerous but manageable condition like eczema. For others, it may be caused by something as simple as coming into contact with a skin irritant. However, in rare cases, skin itchiness may also be a sign of certain types of blood cancer.
“Some patients with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma can experience itching skin as a symptoms of their disease — particularly patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma and patients with cutaneous T cell lymphomas,” says Alex Herrera, M.D., chief of the division of lymphoma and director of the Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center at City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte.
While most causes of itchy skin are non-cancerous and easily managed, it is important to recognize when itchiness may be a sign of something more serious. This article covers topics including:
- What cancer may cause itchy skin?
- Does an itchy breast mean cancer?
- Is an itchy neck a sign of cancer?
- Is skin cancer itchy?
- Is an itchy back a sign of cancer?
- Itchy armpits and cancer
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lymphoma or another type of blood cancer and you are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
What Cancer Can Cause Itchy Skin?
Itching may be a symptom of many kinds of blood cancer. However, it is most often associated with lymphoma — the name given to blood cancers that start in a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Dr. Herrera stresses that most cases of itchy skin are not related to cancer that “various nonmalignant conditions, including eczema or other primary skin issues, are associated with itching and are these are more likely to be causing itchy skin.”
However, itchiness may be a sign of:
- Lymphomas, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cutaneous T cell lymphoma
- Leukemias, such as acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and acute and chronic myeloid leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis
Scientists are still studying exactly why lymphoma and some other blood disorders cause itchy skin. In most cases, it seems to be related to how cancer cells behave.
“In cutaneous T cell lymphoma, the cancer cells are directly infiltrating the skin and causing inflammation that leads to itching,” says Dr. Herrera. “Whereas, with Hodgkin lymphoma, the cells release cytokines that cause inflammation, which in turn leads to symptoms of itching.”
Does an Itchy Breast Mean Cancer?
Itchy skin on the breast is not usually related to cancer. In most cases, experiencing an itchy breast is caused by common skin conditions or irritations. It may also be a sign of:
- Mastitis, a common type of inflammation of the breast that is often caused by a blocked milk duct
- Paget’s disease, a rare breast disease that may cause the skin around the nipple and areola to become scaly or itchy
- Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare type of breast cancer that may cause the breast to become swollen, red or itchy
Is an Itchy Neck a Sign of Cancer?
An itchy neck is not likely to be related to cancer. Although some people do experience itchiness as a symptom of certain types of cancer, this sensation often affects the whole body and is most likely to be accompanied by other signs such as fatigue, nausea or pain.
Is Skin Cancer Itchy?
Itchiness may be a symptom of certain kinds of skin cancer that have already become fairly large. In most cases, small skin cancers do not cause itching.
Itchy skin is more commonly associated with basal cell carcinoma than other types of skin cancer.
Is an Itchy Back a Sign of Cancer?
In most cases, an itchy back is not a symptom of cancer but a sign of a skin condition or problems with the nerves in the back. Though it is very rare, a persistent itchiness in the center of the back may be related to cancers such as lymphoma.
Itchy Armpits and Cancer
An itchy armpit is most likely related to skin conditions or certain kinds of environmental irritants. In rare cases, a persistently itchy feeling under the arm or in the armpit may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer or lymphoma.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lymphoma or another type of blood cancer and you are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.