Well-groomed nails provide a much more hygienic and healthy appearance. However, some changes in the nails may not be caused by hygiene. Although these changes are often overlooked, they can carry a risk of glomus tumor. Noting that benign and malignant tumors can be seen in the hand, Dr. Instructor Member Kadir Uzel said, “The most common complaints in patients with a mass in the hand are swelling, pain and color change. The glomus tumor is often found under the nail bed. Especially in contact with cold, the pain increases even more. Neuromas are lumps that occur on nerve endings after nerve injuries in the hand. An increase in pain can be observed with the contact of the hand with a place.
DIFFERENT CHANGES MUST BE SHOWED TO THE SPECIALIST
Dr. Instructor Member Kadir Uzel gave important warnings against hand tumors. Dr. Instructor Prof. Uzel stated that the tumors detected in the hand should be shown to a specialist as soon as possible and said, “The tumors in the hand originate from the soft tissues and bones under the skin. The majority of soft tissue tumors in the hand are benign, although rare, malignant tumors are also encountered. The most common malignant tumors of the hand are squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Sarcomas are another malignant tumor originating from soft tissue. These masses can be noticed earlier due to pain, swelling and color change.
PAIN INCREASE IN EXPOSURE TO COLD
Mentioning that ganglion cysts are the most common benign tumors, Dr. Instructor Prof. Uzel said, “The most common benign soft tissue tumors are; ganglion cysts, tendon sheath giant cell tumors and epidermal inclusion cysts. Lipomas, glomus tumor, nerve sheath tumors, neuromas, and hemangiomas are other benign tumors frequently seen in the hand. Ganglion cysts are benign cysts filled with gelatinous fluid, usually originating from the joint and tendon sheath. Giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath, as the name suggests, are benign masses of relatively hard consistency and sometimes lobulated appearance, mostly located around the sheaths of the tendons that bend and lift our fingers.
IT MAY CAUSE COLOR CHANGE IN THE NAIL BED
Epidermal inclusion cysts are a benign, keratin-filled mass located under the skin. The glomus tumor is often found under the nail bed. They are masses that increase pain especially in contact with cold, and can also cause discoloration in the nail bed. Neuromas are lumps that occur on nerve endings after nerve injuries in the hand. An increase in pain can be observed with the contact of the hand with a place.
REGULAR FOLLOW-UP IS IMPORTANT
Dr. Instructor Member Kadir Uzel explained the diagnosis and treatment methods in hand tumors as follows:
“The diagnosis of tumors in the hand can be made by physical examination and radiological imaging. We use plain X-ray, Ultrasonography, CT and MRI in radiological imaging. In particular, MRI has a guiding feature for surgical treatment. In the treatment, if the mass is not very large, it is recommended to completely remove the mass and send it to pathology. In benign masses, if the patient does not want the mass to be removed by surgery, it is important that the patients are followed up and re-evaluated in case of an increase in pain and growth in the mass. Some of the removed masses may recur in the postoperative period. For this reason, it is important for patients to have regular follow-up in the postoperative period in terms of detecting recurrence in the early period.
(DHA)