The vast majority of soft tissue lumps are benign.
Approximately 3000 new soft tissue sarcomas are diagnosed each year in the UK. A full time GP is likely to diagnose only one during their career.
Assessment
The following features are associated with an increased chance of malignancy:
1. Size greater than 5cm
2. Deep to the deep fascia
3. Rapidly enlarging
4. Significant pain (rare and the least sensitive feature)
Additional guidance
| Size | Golf ball = 4cm diameter Tennis ball – 7cm in diameter |
| Depth | A superficial lump will be mobile. It originates in the skin or subcutaneous fat. A deep lump is not mobile. It may be less obvious with muscle contraction and will be more fixed in position. |
| Rapidly enlarging | Significant and progressive increase in size over a number of weeks. A lump that is slowly enlarging over many months is not rapidly enlarging. Lumps that vary in size are less worrying. |
| Significant pain | Pain more than a mild intermittent ache. Pain directly related to the lump. |
