Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Hand: Patterns, Pathology, and Surgical Outcomes in a Large Retrospective Cohort.

Abstract

Background: Hand tumors encompass a heterogeneous spectrum of benign, malignant, and tumor-like lesions with diverse clinical behavior. While international studies have reported epidemiological and clinicopathological features, large-scale data in Italian populations are scarce. This retrospective analysis represents one of the largest Italian surgical series of histologically confirmed hand tumors. The objective was to evaluate clinicopathological characteristics, anatomical distribution, and surgical outcomes of these lesions over a 5-year period. Methods: A total of 250 patients who underwent surgery for hand tumors at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital "G. Martino," Messina, Italy, from January 2020 to December 2024, were retrospectively reviewed. Data from clinical records, imaging, and histopathology were categorized as tumor-like lesions, benign neoplasms, or malignant tumors. Demographic and clinical variables were compared across diagnostic groups. Results: The cohort included 127 males and 123 females (mean age 49.3 ± 18.6 years). Lesions were most frequently located in the digits (62%), followed by palm (21%), dorsum (11%), and wrist (6%). Tumor-like lesions represented 37.6% of cases, predominantly mucous cysts and foreign body granulomas. Benign tumors accounted for 49.2%, with giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath as the most common (31.7%). Malignant tumors were rare (10.4%), mainly squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Patients with malignant lesions were significantly older (67.4 years) compared with those with benign or tumor-like lesions (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Benign and tumor-like lesions predominate among hand tumors, whereas malignancies are infrequent but clinically important. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, guided by preoperative imaging and confirmed histopathologically. Expanding this cohort and integrating molecular diagnostics with patient-reported outcomes may enhance future management strategies.