Could Your Itchy Skin Be a Sign of Cancer?

An itch here and there typically isn’t a big deal. Maybe it’s just the usual culprits, like dry skin or allergies.

But in rare cases, an itch that won’t quit can be linked to certain kinds of cancer. Sometimes, cancer itself causes itching. Other times, cancer treatments trigger it.

“Itchy skin isn’t the most common cancer symptom,” says medical oncologist James Isaacs, MD. “But if it’s not going away, it’s important to understand what’s causing it.”

What cancers can cause itchy skin?

Persistent itching (pruritus) can be associated with several types of cancer. And cancer treatments, especially immunotherapy, may trigger significant itching.

“It’s probably the most common symptom I see in people on immunotherapy,” Dr. Isaacs shares. “The itching can affect quality of life and often becomes a serious issue.”

Most of the time, something unrelated to cancer causes ongoing itching. But persistent itching deserves medical attention, especially if it’s:

• Severe
• Widespread
• Long-lasting
• Happening alongside other symptoms, like fatigue or unexplained weight loss

Dr. Isaacs explains which cancers are most commonly associated with itchy skin.

Blood cancer

Some blood cancer cells may release chemicals, like histamine, that irritate the skin’s nerve endings.

Some blood cancers are especially associated with itching, including:

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Polycythemia vera
• T-cell lymphoma
• Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
• Acute myeloid leukemia

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer

Tumors in your digestive tract can sometimes block your bile ducts. That keeps your body from removing bilirubin, a substance found in bile. When bilirubin levels rise, it can lead to itching and jaundice (yellowing of your skin and eyes).

“Any GI cancer that blocks the bile ducts can increase bilirubin,” Dr. Isaacs explains. That can include cancers of the:

• Bile ducts
• Gallbladder
• Liver
• Pancreas

Breast cancer

There are lots of things that can cause itchy breasts. And they can, rarely, be caused by cancer, too.

Two types of breast cancer in particular can bring on itchiness or rash-like symptoms:

• Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare cancer that affects the lymphatic vessels in your breast and causes skin changes
• Paget’s disease of the breast, which affects the skin of the nipple

“Whenever a spot on the skin of your breast is itchy, irregular or painful, have it checked by a healthcare provider,” Dr. Isaacs advises.

Skin cancer

Some skin cancers may itch, though itching alone usually isn’t the only symptom.

“A benign mole shouldn’t cause pain, bleeding or itching, and it shouldn’t change in size or shape,” Dr. Isaacs clarifies. 

Some cancerous moles, on the other hand, may itch. They also may be:

• Uneven in shape
• Ragged around the edges
• Inconsistent in color
• Large in size

But a mole that doesn’t itch may still be worth talking about with a healthcare provider. Dr. Isaacs notes that melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is the least likely to itch.

Metastatic cancer

Metastatic cancers are more likely to cause itching when they spread to your liver or skin. This is more likely to happen with:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Melanoma
• GI cancers

How do I know if my itch is from cancer?

It’s worth saying again: Most itchy skin is not caused by cancer. But certain features may make healthcare providers look more closely at the possibility of underlying medical conditions, including cancer.

Cancer-related itching often:

• Lasts for weeks or months
• Doesn’t improve with typical skin treatments
• Occurs without a visible rash
• Affects large areas of your body
• Happens alongside symptoms like fatigue, appetite loss or weight loss

What does a cancer itch feel like?

Cancer-related itching can vary from person to person. Some people describe it as:

• Deep or intense
• Burning or crawling
• Worse after bathing or being in contact with water
• Constant and difficult to ignore
• More severe at night

Final thought: Seek help for ongoing itching

Ongoing itchiness can be distracting and downright irritating. And it’s often a sign that something in your body needs your attention.

Excessive itchiness can also be a sign of other concerns that deserve your attention, like:

• Allergies
• Eczema
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disorders
• Medication reactions

If it’s not going away, it’s worth getting checked out. Talk with a healthcare provider to rule out cancer and other serious causes.