A lump detected in the region that surrounds a joint. In this context, mass is a general term for a lump or growth that may be caused by the abnormal growth of cells, a cyst, hormonal changes, or an immune reaction.
Comment:
The word mass is often used interchangeably with tumor, which derives from the Latin word tumor that originally meant any form of swelling. A small mass may be asymptomatic. Larger masses may cause pain if they press on a nerve or organ, or may lead to other manifestations depending on their location. In general, the finding of a mass will lead to a workup to determine the nature of the mass.