What is a Glomus Tumor?

What is a Glomus Tumor?

A glomus tumor is a benign tumor that arises from the glomus, a special vascular structure that regulates body temperature. Glomuses are small organelles that sense blood pressure and temperature. Glomus tumors are most common on the fingers of the hand, especially under the nail. Glomus tumors that develop under the nail are reddish-blue, round and solid masses. Although they are very small, they can cause severe pain due to the contraction of the smooth muscles in their structure. The pain is usually triggered by cold or pressure.

Glomus tumors are very rare and are equally common in both sexes. They most commonly occur in people between the ages of 20 and 40. The most important risk factor associated with glomus tumors is neurofibromatosis type 1. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an inherited disease in which benign tumors develop in nerve cells.

Table of Content:

• Symptoms of Glomus Tumor
• Occurrence Locations of Glomus Tumors
• Diagnosis of a Glomus Tumor
• Glomus Tumor Risk Factors
• Glomus Tumor Treatment

Symptoms of Glomus Tumor

The most important symptom of a glomus tumor is pain. Pain increases with touch or cold air. Bruising, tenderness and swelling can also be seen in tumors that develop under the nail. Tumors that develop in the ear may cause tinnitus, hearing loss or dizziness.

Physical examination, imaging methods such as ultrasound, MRI or tomography are used for the diagnosis of Glomus Tumor. The treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. Other treatment options such as laser or sclerotherapy are also available.

Other symptoms in people with a glomus tumor may include:

• Redness, swelling or bruising at the site of the tumor
• Tenderness or numbness at the site of the tumor
• Sensation of pulsation at the site of the tumor
• Movement limitation or deformity with the growth of the tumor
• Hearing loss, tinnitus or dizziness if the tumor is in the ear
• Abdominal pain, bloody stools or weight loss if the tumor is in the digestive system

Occurrence Locations of Glomus Tumors

• Fingers: Glomus tumors are most commonly found on the fingers, especially in the nail beds. Such tumors can cause severe pain and tenderness at the fingertips.
• Feet: Glomus tumors can also occur on the toes or soles of the feet. They can cause pain when wearing shoes or when walking.
• Auricle: Glomus tumors can rarely be found in the auricle, especially in or around the earlobe. They can manifest as pain, tenderness and a lump in the ear.
• Upper limb: Glomus tumors can rarely be found in the upper limbs, such as the arm or wrist. Symptoms such as pain, tenderness and numbness can occur, as in the fingers.
• Ankle: Glomus tumors can sometimes also occur in the ankle area. They can cause pain when wearing shoes or walking.

Glomus tumors can rarely occur in other parts of the body, but the areas mentioned above are the most common.

Diagnosis of a Glomus Tumor

Glomus tumors are usually diagnosed by physical examination and imaging tests. The doctor examines the area where the tumor is located and tries to determine the cause and location of the pain. Imaging tests include X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests help show the size, shape and spread of the tumor. In some cases, a procedure called a biopsy may be done to determine the type and grade of tumor. A biopsy means taking a small sample of tissue from the tumor and examining it under a microscope.

Glomus Tumor Risk Factors

There are some factors that increase the risk of developing a glomus tumor. These are the following Hereditary factors: Glomus tumors can be passed on genetically from mother or father to child. For some types of glomus tumor, no other risk factors are known. People with a family history of glomus tumors are more likely to develop the disease.

• Oxygen deficiency: The glomus regulates blood pressure and temperature to meet the body’s need for oxygen. When oxygen levels are low, glomus cells work harder to speed up blood flow. This can lead to overgrowth of glomus cells and tumors.
• Hormonal factors: A glomus tumor may secrete or be sensitive to certain hormones. For example, hormones called catecholamines can trigger the growth and symptoms of a glomus tumor. Catecholamines affect things like stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart rate and sexual desire.

Glomus Tumor Treatment

The treatment for a glomus tumor is usually surgical removal of the tumor completely. During surgery, the doctor tries to preserve the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue as much as possible. Complications after surgery include infection, bleeding, nerve damage or tumor recurrence. Malignant glomus tumors may require additional treatments. These include chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy. These treatments try to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Other treatment options such as laser and sclerotherapy are also available but are less effective.

It is important for people with a glomus tumor to see their doctor regularly. The doctor will do the necessary tests to monitor the condition of the tumor and to prevent or detect possible complications early. It is also important to manage pain and reduce stress to improve the quality of life for people with glomus tumors.