Common Tumours of the Hand and Wrist
Treatment of growths on the hand and wrist in Sydney
A tumour is an abnormal growth of tissue in the body. There are many different types of tumours that can appear on the hand or wrist. In some cases, these are harmless, while in other cases, they may cause significant symptoms and may even represent a serious medical condition.
Is a tumour always cancer?
Many people associate the term “tumour” with cancer. However, not all tumours are cancerous. Cancers, also known as malignant tumours, have the potential to spread widely throughout the body, and may lead to death. By contrast, benign tumors are not cancerous, meaning that they will not spread around the body. Although benign tumors may sometimes cause significant symptoms in the area where they’re growing, they’re not dangerous to your overall health.
The vast majority of tumours on the hand and wrist are benign. There are some rare cancers that can form in this area, including sarcomas (which arise from connective tissue or bone) and a few different types of skin cancers. It’s important for a medical professional to evaluate any tumour to ensure that it doesn’t represent one of these rare cancers. Still, a tumour in this area is not a cause for panic, as it’s very likely to be benign.
Types of tumours found on the hand and wrist
While there are many different types of tumours that can be found on the hand and wrist, some are much more common than others. Here are the five most common causes, which together account for around 80% of all hand and wrist tumours.
Ganglion cyst
A ganglion cyst grows from the connective tissue of the hand or wrist. It can arise from a joint capsule, tendon sheath, or ligament. The cyst is filled with fluid.
If a ganglion cyst is not causing any symptoms, then it doesn’t need to be treated. Sometimes, the cyst may cause pain, pressure on structures around it (such as nerves), or limitations on the movement of the hand or wrist. If this happens, then the cyst can be treated. Draining the fluid from the cyst with a needle is usually effective in the short term, but the cyst may fill back up with fluid over time. If it keeps coming back and is causing symptoms, then surgery to completely remove the cyst is an option.
Hemangioma
A hemangioma is a growth of extra blood vessels. This can appear on the hand or wrist as a red or purple lump.
If hemangiomas are causing symptoms, they may be removed surgically. There are also non-surgical treatment options that can be used in some cases. Laser therapy may be effective for hemangiomas that are close to the skin’s surface. A medication known as propranolol can also sometimes help to shrink a hemangioma, although it won’t remove it entirely.
Giant cell tumour
A giant cell tumour is a type of tumour that forms in bone tissue. In the hand, giant cell tumours are most commonly found in the fingers, particularly near the ends of the finger bones.
While giant cell tumours aren’t malignant (meaning that they aren’t cancerous), they can be locally aggressive. They may destroy the tissue around them as they grow, leading to significant symptoms. Because of this, giant cell tumours are generally removed surgically. Sometimes, medications or radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumour before removing it, or to ensure that any remaining tumour cells are destroyed. Because giant cell tumours sometimes grow back after being removed, patients need to continue to be monitored by doctors over the years following treatment.
Granuloma
A granuloma is a cluster of immune cells. Granulomas can form on or just under the skin. They sometimes form in reaction to an injury, such as around the site of a foreign body (like a splinter). They’re also more common in people with chronic conditions of the immune system, such as sarcoidosis.
There are a few different types of granulomas, and some grow more quickly than others. Most granulomas will go away on their own over time. Some may cause symptoms like bleeding, and surgical removal is an option in these cases. Laser therapy may be another option. If granulomas are related to a condition like sarcoidosis, then treatment for the condition may help.
Fibroma
A fibroma arises from connective tissue. In the hand, fibromas often form in tendons or the sheaths around tendons. Unlike a ganglion cyst, which is filled with fluid, a fibroma is a solid mass.
Fibromas tend to grow relatively slowly. If they’re causing symptoms by interfering with movement or putting pressure on structures around them, then they can be removed surgically. There’s a chance that the fibroma will grow back after being removed, but this typically happens much more slowly than the regrowth of a ganglion cyst. A repeat removal procedure can be performed when necessary. For fibromas that aren’t causing symptoms, there’s no need for treatment.
Diagnosis of a hand or wrist tumour in Sydney
Only a qualified medical professional can reliably diagnose any tissue growth on the body. If you’ve noticed a tumour appearing on your hand or wrist, it’s a good idea to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. While most hand and wrist tumours are benign (meaning that they aren’t cancerous), they can still cause significant symptoms in some cases. It’s also important to make sure that the growth isn’t a rare cancer.
As an expert hand and wrist surgeon, Dr. Sungaran will first evaluate any growth to determine what’s causing it and what risks it may pose. If surgical removal is indicated, his detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the hand and wrist allows him to accomplish this with minimal risk to surrounding structures. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sungaran and get his professional advice about a growth on your hand or wrist, please contact our friendly front desk staff.
