Lump / mass (musculoskeletal)

Rationale

Lumps or masses are a common cause for consultation with a physician. Musculoskeletal lumps or masses represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality.

Causal Conditions

(list not exhaustive)

1. Neoplastic
   1. Soft tissue
      1. Benign (e.g., lipoma)
      2. Malignant (e.g., leiomyosarcoma)
   2. Bone (e.g., cyst)
      1. Benign (e.g., cyst)
      2. Malignant (e.g., Ewing sarcoma)
2. Non-neoplastic
   1. Infectious (e.g., osteomyelitis)
   2. Traumatic (e.g., hematoma)
   3. Inflammatory (e.g., rheumatoid nodules, tendonitis)

Key Objectives

Given a patient with a musculoskeletal lump or mass, the candidate will diagnose the cause, severity, and complications, and will initiate an appropriate management plan, in particular to distinguish benign from malignant.

Enabling Objectives

Given a patient with a musculoskeletal lump or mass, the candidate will

1. list and interpret clinical findings, including
   1. an appropriate history and physical examination with particular attention to features suggestive of sarcoma;
2. list and interpret key investigations, including
   1. laboratory and radiological studies, if indicated, and in particular determining if the patient requires a biopsy;
3. construct an effective initial management plan, including
   1. determination as to whether the patient requires specialized or urgent diagnosis and treatment.