Soft Tissues Masses & Tumors

Diagnosis & Treatment of Foot Tumors in Thousand Oaks & Newbury Park

Soft tissue masses are growths of cells that occur anywhere in the body. It is not unusual for soft tissue masses to appear on the feet. If you notice a large, soft lump on your foot, it could be a soft tissue mass. They are usually round, but they can also appear in a long and narrow shape. Most will be painful to the touch but do not usually cause discomfort if left alone.

There is a chance that a soft tissue mass is a cancerous tumor, which is why it is important to have it examined by a medical professional as soon as possible. Thankfully, you are ten times more likely to have a benign tissue mass than a cancerous tumor. Nonetheless, it is impossible to know for sure without having an examination. Additionally, living with a soft tissue mass can be very uncomfortable, and many patients wish to have them removed.

Types of Soft Tissue Masses

Most soft tissue masses on the foot are benign. Some of the most common benign types include:

• Ganglionic Cysts – Fluid-filled cysts that normally occur on the side of the foot. They may shrink or enlarge on a day-to-day basis.
• Eccrine Poroma – A noncancerous tumor usually found on the soles of the feet. They may appear as reddish or brownish lumps with a rounded or flat surface.
• Glomus Tumor – This soft tissue mass is usually found beneath the nail
• Intractable Plantar Keratoma – a type of callus that appears under the weight-bearing surfaces of the foot.
• Mucoid Cyst – A common cyst usually found near toenails 

These soft tissue masses are not cancerous, but there is no way to know what type of mass they are without an examination. If you have found a soft tissue mass on your foot, contact Performance Foot and Ankle for a diagnostic test. We can help you remove the soft tissue mass whether it is cancerous or not.