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Home « Clinical Services « Hip & Knee

Soft Tissue Masses: Diagnosis and Surgery for Benign and Cancerous Tumors (Sarcoma)

Last updated Friday, January 18, 2008

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Symptoms

What parts of the body does masses affect?

According to the National Cancer Institute, about 43 percent of sarcomas (cancerous growths) occur in the arms and legs; 34 percent occur in and around internal organs; 10 percent occur in the chest and back region; and 13 percent occur in other locations.

The masses – benign or cancerous – come to clinical attention more quickly when they are located in the arms and legs, as opposed to the chest or abdomen, because less room exists in arms and legs for such masses to be mistaken for other bodily structures.

What are some initial warning signs of masses?

Soft tissue tumors offer little warning. They can emerge as a lump or bump slowly or quickly in any part of the body.

What are symptoms of masses?

The emergence of the mass itself is the most common symptom. It is usually round or oval in its dimensions. It often is painless, causing notice or discomfort only in cases when it compresses a nerve or irritates other tissue. A rapid rate of increase in size of a mass suggests the possibility of malignancy.

How do the symptoms of masses change over time?

Depending on the tumor’s etiology, it can grow quickly or slowly. Some soft tissue masses that are initially benign can transform into malignancies. This is often heralded by an abrupt increase in the size of a previously quiescent mass. Research suggests that a malignant mass that emerges in an arm or leg is usually greater than 5 cm (2 inches) in size and deep-seated (often in muscle).

What are the indirect effects of masses?

Depending on the tumor’s etiology and location, it can displace or compress nerves, blood vessels, and other bodily structures, affecting their function.

What conditions have similar sympoms or might be confused with masses?

A hematoma, cyst from arthritis, or swelling from a sprain or strain might be confused with a soft tissue tumor.

Surgery for masses at the University of Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.

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