Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective study

Background: Benign soft tissue tumors of the upper extremity are often overlooked in the existing literature despite their prevalence and risk of complications. The goals of this retrospective study are to identify predictors of complication and malignancy in upper extremity masses and to discuss ma...

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Main Authors: Lauren Fang, Shalimar Abdullah, Kirollos Tadrousse, Jamari Sapuan, Rohayu Binti Hami, Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000591
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author Lauren Fang
Shalimar Abdullah
Kirollos Tadrousse
Jamari Sapuan
Rohayu Binti Hami
Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni
author_facet Lauren Fang
Shalimar Abdullah
Kirollos Tadrousse
Jamari Sapuan
Rohayu Binti Hami
Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni
author_sort Lauren Fang
collection DOAJ
description Background: Benign soft tissue tumors of the upper extremity are often overlooked in the existing literature despite their prevalence and risk of complications. The goals of this retrospective study are to identify predictors of complication and malignancy in upper extremity masses and to discuss management strategies for soft tissue swellings with predictors that worsen outcomes. Methods: Data from 70 patients who had surgically excised upper extremity tumors in two Malaysian tertiary hospitals from 2020 to 2021 were collected. Bone tumors, arthritic deformities, osteophytes, highly suspicious tumors suggestive of malignancy, and swelling on other parts of the body besides the upper limb were excluded from the study. Upper extremity tumor characteristics such as size, location, histological diagnosis, and related complications were recorded. Fisher's Exact Test was used to assess associations between outcomes and tumor characteristics. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Nearly all upper extremity soft tissue masses were benign (97 %), with granulomas being the most common (20 %), followed by ganglion cysts (16 %), and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath (14 %). A total of eight patients presented with complications, of which seven (88 %) had masses located on an exposed, high-contact surface. Size≥5 cm was a statistically significant predictor of complications but not malignancy. Additionally, histological diagnosis was significantly predictive of both complications and malignancy. Conclusions: Upper extremity soft tissue tumor size≥5 cm is predictive of complications such as rupture, recurrence, infection, impaired limb function, and misdiagnosis affecting treatment. Given the increased risk for complications, suspected benign tumors≥5 cm in greatest dimension are best managed with diagnostic and therapeutic surgical excision.
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spelling doaj-art-2fa575c0870c444cbc8e725f2b1ca9f82025-08-26T04:14:45ZengElsevierJournal of Orthopaedic Reports2773-157X2025-08-014210060710.1016/j.jorep.2025.100607Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective studyLauren Fang0Shalimar Abdullah1Kirollos Tadrousse2Jamari Sapuan3Rohayu Binti Hami4Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni5University of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USAHospital UKM, Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaUniversity of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USAHospital UKM, Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaIPPT, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas, Penang, MalaysiaUniversity of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USA; IPPT, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia; Corresponding author. Department of Orthopedic Surgery University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences 3000 Arlington Ave. Toledo, Ohio, 43614, USA.Background: Benign soft tissue tumors of the upper extremity are often overlooked in the existing literature despite their prevalence and risk of complications. The goals of this retrospective study are to identify predictors of complication and malignancy in upper extremity masses and to discuss management strategies for soft tissue swellings with predictors that worsen outcomes. Methods: Data from 70 patients who had surgically excised upper extremity tumors in two Malaysian tertiary hospitals from 2020 to 2021 were collected. Bone tumors, arthritic deformities, osteophytes, highly suspicious tumors suggestive of malignancy, and swelling on other parts of the body besides the upper limb were excluded from the study. Upper extremity tumor characteristics such as size, location, histological diagnosis, and related complications were recorded. Fisher's Exact Test was used to assess associations between outcomes and tumor characteristics. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Nearly all upper extremity soft tissue masses were benign (97 %), with granulomas being the most common (20 %), followed by ganglion cysts (16 %), and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath (14 %). A total of eight patients presented with complications, of which seven (88 %) had masses located on an exposed, high-contact surface. Size≥5 cm was a statistically significant predictor of complications but not malignancy. Additionally, histological diagnosis was significantly predictive of both complications and malignancy. Conclusions: Upper extremity soft tissue tumor size≥5 cm is predictive of complications such as rupture, recurrence, infection, impaired limb function, and misdiagnosis affecting treatment. Given the increased risk for complications, suspected benign tumors≥5 cm in greatest dimension are best managed with diagnostic and therapeutic surgical excision.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000591Soft tissue massTumorupper extremityPredictorsOutcomesComplications
spellingShingle Lauren Fang
Shalimar Abdullah
Kirollos Tadrousse
Jamari Sapuan
Rohayu Binti Hami
Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni
Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective study
Journal of Orthopaedic Reports
Soft tissue mass
Tumor
upper extremity
Predictors
Outcomes
Complications
title Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective study
title_full Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective study
title_fullStr Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective study
title_short Outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses: A retrospective study
title_sort outcome predictors of clinically diagnosed benign upper extremity soft tissue masses a retrospective study
topic Soft tissue mass
Tumor
upper extremity
Predictors
Outcomes
Complications
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000591
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