lumps on hand

[Sherryg683]

Two weeks ago, I woke up and the top of my right hand (surgery side) was swollen really big, it was hot to the touch and hurt really bad. I had been to the park the day before and figured I had gotten bit by something. The swelling went away about 3 days later and I just forgot about it. Now today, the same thing is happening, but I can also feel 3 pea size lumps on the top of my hand. They and the swelling is in between my pointer and middle finger, running upward to the middle of the top of my hand. It really hurts. I don't think I've ever heard of cancer going to your hand and the swelling isn't up my arm, so I'm not thinking lymphedema but he lumps have got me worried. Have any of you had this. I am going to go to the doctor Monday but I'm just hurting right now. Things always seem to happen on the weekends when the drs. office is closed. Does arthritis cause lumps like this any ideas?...sherryg

[hutchibk]

Sherry, that just sounds downright weird. I wish I knew, but I've got nothing to offer. I will anxiously await an answer, too...

[sassy]

Sherry,

Sorry I can't offer any info either. It does sound really weird. Unfortunately every little things gets us worried. Probably not cancer related, but worrisome nevertheless.

Keep us posted.

[Sheila]

This is what it sounds like to me: (from Web MD)

Ganglion Cyst Overview

A ganglion cyst is a tumor or swelling on top of a joint or the covering of a tendon (tissue that connects muscle to bone). It looks like a sac of liquid (cyst). Inside the cyst is a thick, sticky, clear, colorless, jellylike material. Depending on the size, cysts may feel firm or spongy.

• One large cyst or many smaller ones may develop. Multiple small cysts can give the appearance of more than one cyst, but a common stalk within the deeper tissue usually connects them. This type of cyst is not harmful and accounts for about half of all soft tissue tumors of the hand.
• Ganglion cysts, also known as Bible cysts, are more common in women, and 70% occur in people between the ages of 20-40. Rarely, ganglion cysts can occur in children younger than 10 years.
• Ganglion cysts most commonly occur on the back of the hand (60-70%), at the wrist joint and can also develop on the palm side of the wrist. When found on the back of the wrist, they become more prominent when the wrist is flexed forward. Other sites, although less common, include these:
  • The base of the fingers on the palm, where they appear as small pea-sized bumps
  • The fingertip, just below the cuticle, where they are called mucous cysts
  • The outside of the knee and ankle
  • The top of the foot

Ganglion Cyst Causes

The cause of ganglion cysts is not known. One theory suggests that trauma causes the tissue of the joint to break down forming small cysts, which then join into a larger, more obvious mass. The most likely theory involves a flaw in the joint capsule or tendon sheath that allows the joint tissue to bulge out.
Ganglion Cyst Symptoms

• The ganglion cyst usually appears as a bump (mass) that changes size.
• It is usually soft, anywhere from 1-3 cm in diameter (about .4-1.2 inches) and doesn’t move.
• The swelling may appear over time or appear suddenly, may get smaller in size, and may even go away, only to come back at another time.
• Most ganglion cysts cause some degree of pain, usually following acute or repetitive trauma, but up to 35% are without symptoms, except for appearance.
• The pain is usually nonstop, aching, and made worse by joint motion.
• When the cyst is connected to a tendon, you may feel a sense of weakness in the affected finger.

When to Seek Medical Care

Whether you have symptoms or not, your ganglion cyst can benefit from medical evaluation. Your doctor can be sure that you have a ganglion cyst, keep you from worrying, and help decide on the best treatment plan for you.
A ganglion cyst does not need to have emergency treatment unless you have significant trauma. A routine check by either your doctor or a specialist in bones and joints (an orthopedist) should be enough.

[Mary Jo]

Hi Sherry,

I can't offer any advice either although when you mentioned being at the park and getting bit that sounded logical because of the lumps. So, is hoping it's as simple as a bug bite. Surely doesn't sound cancer related to me.

Mary Jo

[Karen W]

I was going to say the same thing as Sheila... I have a couple of those cysts right where the bottom of my finger meets the palm of my had. I have seen an increase in them since I have been on Aromasin.

Karen

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

GOOD CALL, DR. SHEILA! Sounds about right to me. So glad you're on duty!

Sherry, I know how each little thing is a major upset, believe me. We all go through this and it's what we've been *trained* to do -- stay in touch w/our bodies, keenly aware of each minor change. But this doesn't sound like cancer to me, in my humble unmedical opinion.

Hoping it's harmless. (My husband has those cysts on his hand for over a decade. Just annoys him. He used to complain from time to time. Then I was diagnosed and I never heard him mention it again. LOL)

ANDI

[Chelee]

Sherry, I have to agree with Shelia on this one too. My Mother had the same problem on her right hand. Her's happened long after breaking her wrist. We thought it was a piece of bone in there that moved when she flexed her hand...but it was a little cyst. The trauma from falling must of caused it.

That being said...have you been out playing tennis or done anything that might of injuried your hand that you can think of? Have you over-used it cleaning in some way? My only concern is the swelling you mentioned and it being hot to touch? Since that is the cancer side and the side lymph nodes were removed it almost sounds like a mild infection that comes and goes? Or the little cysts might be causing pressure on nerves in there which would explain the pain! But I in no way think its cancer related although I know that is always *all* of our first thoughts when we have something pop up like that. Those 3 little lumps in there pressing on nerves will/can cause pain. So hang in there and please update us as to what your doctor has to say. Try not to worry even though that's easier said then done.

Chelee

[Carol H.]

Hi Sherry, I had the exact same thing 2 years ago. When I woke up in the morning my hand was swollen and painful. I though it was broken. I went to an urgent care, they did an x-ray and nothing was broken. The doctor told me that it looked like I was having an allergist reaction to something. He was right. Never could find out what was causing it. That was the start of 6mos on and off of pain, hives and rashes. The doctor gave me the right meds to help me through discomfort. I don't mean to scare you, but that's when my immune system started breaking down. I have never had it happen again after that time frame. Carol Florida

[Jackie07]

My husband had had ganlion cysts a couple years back. He said his were not painful.

I had cellulitis during my very last chemo treatment. It was caused by some tiny, tiny bug bites on my fingers when I was picking figs in the back yard. It was red, and then started to swell up more and more. I waited for 4 whole days before going to the doctor. By that time the redness had spreaded to my elbow area. I was hooked on IV for 2 hours with antibiotics and then took oral antibiotics for 10 days.

[Lolly]

Yes, I'd be concerned about cellulitis also, it's better to rule that out by going to the ER than waiting till Monday to see the doc...It can become serious really quick, and the ER docs will be able to tell it that's what's causing the swelling and pain.

[Sherryg683]

Thanks all. It's not as swollen today but the bumps are still there. I'm thinking cysts of some sort. I will go to the doctor on Monday and let you all know what he thinks. It's always good to have you gals to come running to...sherryg

[harrie]

Sherry, last weekend I was washing my car and right when I was done screwing the nozzle back on the hose, I went in the house and inbetween my ring and third finger, it started feeling really funny. Happened really fast, like it was sensitive and getting some edema and with discoloration. Felt like a hematoma was forming. Very strange. So I grabbed a frozen bag of peas and iced it. Then by the next day the swelling went down and the bruising set in. After a few days it all cleared.
Harrie

[Ruth]

It sounds an awful like fire ant bites to me. My daughter reacts in the exact same way. It's painful and puffy with swelling. Fire ants inject a poison that actually kills the tissue there and some people respond with swelling, heat and almost a small pimple on top of it. They don't go away like normal bites and can puff up again days later. Where go you live?

Hugs ~ Ruth

[Marlys]

Just can't helping add to the description from WebMD. They were and still are often treated by smacking them with a Bible (or large book) to break them.
Love & hugs,
Marlys

[Carol H.]

Sherry, we haven't heard back from you. Just wondering what the doctor said on Monday about your hand? I hope it was just a bug bite. Let us know how you are doing.
Carol H. Florida