A tissue mass is essentially a growth of cells that forms a lump or bump in the body's soft tissues. These tissues can include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and cartilage.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Definition: A tissue mass represents an abnormal proliferation of cells within soft tissues. Patients often notice them as palpable lumps or bumps.
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Location: These masses can occur nearly anywhere in the body, as soft tissues are widespread.
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Composition: The mass can originate from various types of soft tissue cells, including:
- Muscle cells
- Fat cells
- Connective tissue cells (tendons, ligaments, cartilage)
- Nerve cells
- Blood vessel cells
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Significance: It's important to note that not all tissue masses are cancerous. They can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Further investigation, such as imaging and biopsy, is often needed to determine the nature of the mass.
In summary, a tissue mass refers to any abnormal growth or lump found in the soft tissues of the body.
