Common Hand Cysts & Tumors

Any abnormal lump or mass on your body can be alarming, especially when you’re unsure of the cause. There are many different kinds of hand tumors and cysts, and the good news is that most of them are benign and can be treated easily with the help of an orthopedic doctor. Whether this is a new hand mass issue or a cyst or tumor you’ve already had treated, the experts at the Hand and Wrist Institute can help when you’re ready to talk to a specialist.

What Are Hand Tumors?

“Image from page 811 of “The practice of surgery” (1910)” by Internet Archive Book Images licensed under CC 1.0

An abnormal lump or mass in the hand is considered a hand tumor. The word tumor may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t mean it’s malignant or cancerous. Most hand tumors are benign and can be treated simply regardless of the cause. Some hand tumors may appear on the surface or be located underneath the soft tissue or even in the bone. Since there are so many types of tissues in the hand, there are many places where a tumor could occur.

Common Types of Hand Tumors

Several different types of tumors commonly occur in the hand tissues, including:

• Glomus tumor. This type of benign soft tissue neoplasm typically occurs in people between the ages of 20 and 50 and is more common in women. Glomus tumors are usually small, less than 7mm, and can be tender to the touch and extremely painful.
• Warts. Most warts are harmless but can be rough, itchy, and may cause embarrassment.
• Dupuytren’s contracture. This is caused by thickened connective tissues and is typically the result of trauma or lacerations, and is highly connected to genetic predisposition.
• Giant cell tumor. Giant cell hand tumors are the second most common type of hand mass. These solid masses may occur near a tendon sheath and are slow-growing.

The only way to know what’s causing your mass or pain is to see an orthopedic specialist. The Hand and Wrist Institute can help. Call us at 855-558-4263 to schedule an appointment today.

What Are Hand Cysts?

A hand cyst may also be known as a hand tumor as they’re closely related, and both can be located in various places and tissues within the hand. Like tumors, cysts are rarely cancerous and can be treated successfully by a trained orthopedic surgeon. The Hand and Wrist Institute regularly sees patients for hand cysts, and we have the experience necessary to treat your symptoms successfully.

Common Types of Hand Cysts

Just as various types of tumors can occur in the hand, several different cysts can occur in the hand tissues. The ones mentioned below are frequently seen in our office:

• Ganglion cysts. A ganglion cyst is a noncancerous cyst that develops along the joints or tendons of your hands or wrists. They’re usually oval or round and are filled with thick fluid. They’re typically small but can be quite painful if located near a nerve.
• Epidermal inclusion cysts. This non-cancerous cyst sometimes appears near where a previous puncture wound or cut was located. It’s usually filled with a waxy, soft material called keratin.
• Digital Mucoid Cysts. A digital mucoid cyst is a ganglion cyst located on the distal interphalangeal joint of a finger, closest to the fingertip. They’re filled with mainly hyaluronic acid in a thick fluid. The exact cause is unknown but is strongly associated with degenerative joint disease (DJD) or repeated trauma.

Could My Cyst or Tumor Be Cancerous?

We understand that finding a lump or bump on your body is alarming, and most of us instantly wonder if ours could be cancer, it’s fortunate that most masses on the hand are not cancer. Cancer in hand tissues is very rare. Certain cancers could affect the hand, such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or sarcomas of the bone or soft tissue, but these are extremely rare. A biopsy would be required to make this diagnosis. If you’re concerned about a mass and want to rule out cancer due to family history as the cause, it’s essential to see a doctor.

Evaluation and Treatment for Hand Cysts and Tumors

At your appointment at The Hand and Wrist Institute, our orthopedic surgeon, Dr. John T. Knight, will perform a careful history and physical exam. This examination can help narrow down the types of tumors or cysts you may have. Imaging, such as an X-ray, may be ordered to help rule out soft tissue or bone involvement. Recommendations for treatment options will be based on your preferences and our hand surgeon’s diagnosis.

Sometimes cysts can be successfully treated by draining them, but not always. The most common method for treating a hand mass is surgically removing the tumor. This method usually offers the lowest recurrence rate and allows for the pathology of the cyst or tumor to determine what type it is. Procedures are typically performed during a short outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day and offering less downtime.

Contact The Hand and Wrist Institute Today

If you have a hand cyst or tumor and are looking for specialist care, contact the team at The Hand and Wrist Institute today. By specializing in issues associated with the hand or wrist only, we offer one of the region’s leading centers for proper diagnosis, treatment, and care of various hand cysts and tumors. Dr. Knight, our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, has over 20 years of experience in dealing with these conditions and is dedicated to providing you with the care you deserve.

If you have additional questions about hand cysts or tumors or are interested in treatment options, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at the Hand and Wrist Institute. You can contact us by phone at 855-558-4263 or 817-382-6789 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Knight. We also offer the opportunity to contact us online via our secure messaging system. A member of the Hand and Wrist Institute team will be glad to answer your message and promptly get back to you with answers to your questions or available appointments.

Dr. John Knight

Dr. Knight is a renowned hand, wrist and upper extremity surgeon with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. Dr Knight has appeared on CNN, The Doctors TV, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Oxygen network and more.