Hand Tumor and Lump
Dr. Steven Rueda is one of the most sought after doctors for hand tumor and hand masses treatment in Palm Beach. Hand tumors and hand masses are typically caused by abnormal growths of cells in the tissues of the hand. Fortunately the majority of these tumors and masses are benign and not cancer. They show up as “lumps” in the hands and fingers. They typically arise from skin, fat, tendons, and blood vessels. In less common cases, they can arise from bones or cartilage.
WHAT CAUSES HAND TUMOR AND LUMPS?
There are too many types of hand lumps and tumors to have a single cause. The most common lumps are mucous cysts and ganglion cysts which are through to be caused by arthritis or weakness in the joint capsule. Lumps resulting from soft tissue or bone are caused by abnormal growth of healthy or unhealthy cells.
HAND TUMOR AND LUMPS PROCEDURE
There is no universal procedure for removal of hand lumps or tumors. For most lumps and tumors it is usually possible to perform an extensional biopsy, a procedure that removes the lump or tumor in its entirety. These biopsies are typically performed by making an incision overlying the tumor or lump. For some other tumors, it is necessary to do staging with imaging and a limited biopsy prior to complete removal of the mass or lump.
Incisions
Most procedures for hand tumors and lumps use an incision on top of the mass to remove it. In some cases a wedge of tissue and skin around the tumor is also removed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Usually physical examination and history are enough to diagnose most masses. However, it is only examination under the microscope that can definitively tell if the mass is benign or malignant. There is no single finding on physical examination that is suggestive of malignancy; however, unusual locations, invasion of nearby structures, and persistent gradual growth make it more likely for it to be a cancerous lesion.
Benign masses do not need surgery if they do not cause symptoms or are at risk of causing damage to other surrounding structures. These can usually be monitored once or twice a year until they become symptomatic enough for the patient to decide on having surgery.