More often than not, lumps and bumps on the wrists or hands are harmless. However, it’s important to make an appointment to see our hand surgeon in order to rule out the possibility that a cyst or tumor is malignant. Once that happens, you can continue with other treatment options to remove or minimize the appearance of the formation.
If you have a suspicious lump or bump on your skin that doesn’t seem to heal, don’t take any chances. Call the Arora Hand Surgery office in Macomb, Howell, Warren, or West Bloomfield for a consultation with Dr. Avery Arora.
The word “tumor” is considered a scary term because people automatically associate it with a cancer diagnosis. However, the fact of the matter is that any skin bump is called a tumor, and most are completely harmless. In addition to ganglion cysts, some of the most common tumors of the hand are known as “giant cell tumor of tendon sheath” and “epidermal inclusion cysts.”
Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath
Unlike the fluid-filled ganglion cysts, these tumors are made of solid mass and have little flexibility to the touch.
Epidermal Inclusion Cyst
If one of the lower layers of the skin is punctured, it goes into the same healing process as the main layer of skin. Keratin is produced as a cover for the skin and continues being produced even after the skin has healed. This keratin builds up and turns into a harmless tumor on the finger.
These tumors may be unsightly and annoying when they occur, but they are almost always harmless and cancer-free.
Cancer of the hand and wrist is uncommon, but possible. When it does occur, it’s usually one of the three types of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma.
