If a mass shows up as swelling in an xray could that mean it is cancer?!
Question:
If a mass shows up as swelling in an xray could that mean it is cancer?
i have a mass on my finger that xrayed as swelling. the doctor said its a tendon sheath tumor, but im scared it could be a soft tissue sarcoma. it has grown steadily over the past six months but there is no pain, only pressure when the finger is bent.
Answers:
I know you are seeking reassurance that what you have is not a soft tissue sarcoma. But the truth is that no one here can tell you that. You need a clinical examination. If you are really concerned you should make an appointment to see a sarcoma specialist. It might be a good idea to do this anyway since if it does turn out to be sarcoma they do not always recommend a biopsy for a finger. If it is cancer than they would want to be far more careful than just a normal surgery to remove a benign growth. If you go see a sarcoma specialist they may be able to recognize what the growth is. I would be concerned because you say that it has been growing steadily for the past six months and there is no pain. You really need this examined.
Here are a few sites about diagnosing sarcoma from the UK, but they apply to the US as well. Sarcoma is rare and looks too much like a benign tumor for a non-specialist to diagnose:
http://www.sarcoma-uk.org/diagnosis.htm...
Should I see a sarcoma specialist?
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/defaul...
Stay strong and think positive. This could still be a benign tumor.