Management of tumors and tumor-like lesions of the hand: a review of 191 patients.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of benign and malignant hand tumors, localization and management approaches.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between March 1986 and October 2008, 191 consecutive patients (86 males, 105 females; mean age 35.06 years; range 1 to 96 years) who were diagnosed with tumors or tumor-like lesions of the hand in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with only intraosseous ganglion cysts were included in the study.

RESULTS

The most common lesion was enchondroma (n=59, 30.89%). A giant-cell tumor of the tendon sheath was the most common benign soft tissue tumor (n=30, 15.70%). Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma was the most frequent malignant soft tissue lesion (n=5, 2.61%). The most common non-metastatic malignant lesions of the bone were chondrosarcomas (n=6, 3.14%). Of the patients with chondrosarcoma, two were diagnosed with primary lesions, and four were diagnosed with chondrosarcoma when benign cartilaginous lesions underwent malignant transformation during follow-up. Metastases to the hand were seen in six patients.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of benign tumors of the hand is higher than malignant tumors. Since hand tumors may affect several parts of the body, diagnosis and treatment are best provided through a multidisciplinary approach.