Benign soft tissue tumors of the hand: A retrospective review of 17-year experience

Abstract

Objective: Tumors of the hand are common and mostly benign. Benign soft tissue tumors of the hand can arise from the skin, tendons, vessels, nerve and subcutaneous tissue. Tumors can be removed by surgical excision for cosmetic reasons and a possibility of malignancy. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the types of benign soft tissue tumors of the hand in comparison to the literature. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all surgically excised benign soft tissue tumors of the hand at the University of Health Sciences Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital between March 2000 and October 2017. A total of 426 patients (208 males and 218 females) were included in this study. The mean age was 39.4 years (range, 4-61 years). 426 patients were evaluated according to their ages, genders, anatomic location and histopathology of tumors and their treatment modalities. Results: The most common benign tumor of the hand was pyogenic granuloma (25%). The other diagnosed benign tumors of the hand with the decreasing percentage were ganglion cysts (15%), giant cell tumors of the tendon sheaths (GCTTS) (15%), other hand tumors (13%), hemangiomas (8%), neurinomas and schwannomas (6%), fibromas and fibrolipomas (5%), epidermal cysts (3%), glomus tumors (2%) and arteriovenous malformations (2%). Conclusion: A comprehensive history and detailed physical examination performed by specialists are essential in the diagnosis of the tumor. The vast majority of hand tumors are benign, and if a tumor of the hand is suspected, a biopsy should be performed before definitive treatment.