Cysts, Masses and Tumors in the Hand

What are hand and wrist cysts, masses and tumors?

Lumps and bumps on the hand, wrist, or forearm can cause significant anxiety, but are rarely anything too serious. Benign cysts and masses are actually very common in the hand and wrist, and they often don’t cause significant problems. However, they can sometimes cause pain or limit function. Tumors are just abnormal tissue growths, and most are benign. Malignant or cancerous tumors of the hand, wrist, or forearm are exceedingly uncommon, but we recommend you get any new lump or bump checked out.

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Common benign cysts and masses by location

Overview

Symptoms

Causes

Benign cysts and masses are common:
- Fingers: Mucous cysts, ganglion Cysts, Dupuytren’s contracture, bone spurs and cysts
- Palm: Ganglion cysts, Dupuytren’s contracture
- Wrist: Ganglion cysts
- Forearm: Lipomas
Tumors are abnormal tissue growths; most are benign
Malignant or cancerous tumors are extremely uncommon

Diagnosis

Why treatment matters

We can determine treatment options based on the type and location of the cyst or mass, and whether it causes symptoms.

Nonoperative treatment

Simple cysts or masses can involve observation if they are not painful, limiting function, or growing. We can often drain some fluid-filled cysts, like wrist ganglion cysts, in the office.

Operative treatment

We can often surgically remove painful cysts or masses, especially those that limit function, or show concerning features like rapid growth, and send the biopsy tissue to the lab for identification.

Take the next step

Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.