Are your hands smooth or rough? “Three palm trees” linked to cancer in 95% of cases

Healthcare professionals rarely encounter the “trip palm”, so called because of the appearance of the condition. Few cases of this condition have been reported in the medical literature, but most of the existing cases are associated with cancer. Studies show that when skin changes appear exclusively on the palms, it can signal lung cancer.

WebMD explains, “Palm scar is a rare condition in which the skin on the palms and soles of the feet becomes thick and velvety white.

“The texture of the skin is like boiled offal. Also called palmar acanthosis; In 95% of cases it is associated with cancer.

“If only the palms are affected, it’s most likely lung cancer.”

One case study published in the New England Journal of Medicine followed a 73-year-old woman who first presented to a dermatology clinic with “pruritic dermatitis”. [itchy] and painful wounds” on her arms.

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The patients lost significant weight in four months and reported heavy smoking for 30 years.

While examining her hands, doctors noticed “sharp” demarcations in the lines of her palms.

They also noted a “velvety palmar surface and striated skin”, which was diagnosed as a scarred palm.

Further investigations revealed an irregularly shaped nodule in the patient’s left upper lung and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.

Cancers often associated with triple palm include lung cancer and stomach cancer, and less commonly breast cancer and cancer of the genitourinary tract.

According to DermNet, the condition is also associated with non-cancerous conditions such as bullous pemphigoid, psoriasis, and exfoliative dermatitis.

Although there is a high chance of malignancy in people with palm scar, it is important to note that the condition is exceptionally rare.

The researchers advise anyone who notices that skin changes persist for more than two weeks to seek medical attention.