TABLE 1

Clinical features of soft tissue masses that require urgent investigation

Increasing size
Size greater than 5 cm (ie, golf-ball size)
Deeper-lying mass (deep to fascia)
Firmer than surrounding tissue
Patient has potential risk factors (previous radiotherapy, chronic lymphedema, inherited syndrome such as Gardner syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and von Recklinghausen disease)
Local symptoms and signs of infiltration
With or without pain (large painless lumps should raise concern)
The greater the number of clinical features, the greater the risk of malignancy.