As in other parts of the human body, neoplasms, so-called tumors, can develop on the hand and forearms.
In the case of tumors, a distinction is made between bone and cartilage tumors and soft tissue tumors. Soft tissue tumors are tumors that develop from muscle, connective or fatty tissue. In most cases, these are benign tumors (e.g. fibroids, lipomas, ganglions). Malignant soft tissue tumors, known as sarcomas, are much rarer.
The causes of hand tumors are not always known. Benign growths can sometimes be due to heredity within the family. What causes malignant hand tumors is not yet clearly understood.
Patients often notice swelling initially. Malignant tumors in particular usually cause no symptoms at first, but can cause pain as they progress.
Smaller soft tissue tumors that are not suspected of being malignant are usually removed under local anesthesia in the operating room. If a malignant tumor is suspected, a sample is usually taken first (biopsy); depending on the findings, this is done using a special hollow needle, a punch or as part of a minor operation.
A tumor is removed by means of an operation.