Tumors and tumor-like lesions of the hand

ABSTRACTTumors and Tumor-like Lesions of the HandA mass that is recognized in the body generally causes doubt of malignancy.Theoverwhelming majority of the soft tissue and bone tumors of the hand and the wrist arebenignant. Diagnosis and treatment of these lesions require special interest. Most of thestudies about this topic are retrospective assessments of little case series.The incidence, type, localization, distribution and treatment properties of hand and wristtumors are evaluated in the current study. 579 cases were assessed who were treatedsurgically because of tumors and tumor-like lesions of the hand and the wrist in CukurovaUniversity Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department between 01.Jan.1977 and31.Dec.2005.In this retrospective definitive study: 63.6 % of the cases were women(368), 36.4 %were men(211). Mean age was 32.5. Most of the lesions were benignant (98%). 59.6 % ofthe masses were tumor-like lesions. 29.7 % were benignant soft tissue tumors, 8.6 % werebenignant bone tumors, and 2.1 % were malignant. 49.7 % of the pathologies wereganglion cysts, 11.6 % and 7.1 % were giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath and glomustumor respectively. The most frequent malignant bone tumor was chondrosarcoma, and themost frequent sarcoma was epitheloid sarcoma.A simple physical and radiologic examination is generally sufficient for appropriatediagnosis. Basic principles of tumor and hand surgery must be strictly followed foradequate treatment. The treatment may require reconstructive procedures.Multidisciplinary approach is the most appropriate strategy for the malignant tumours.Key Words: Benignant, hand, malignant, metastasis, tumor.vii