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.