glomus tumor

Glomus tumors are rare soft tissue neoplasms that typically present in adults (ages 20-40 years) as small, blue-red papules or nodules of the distal extremities, with most cases involving subungual sites. These tumors are typically painful, often causing paroxysmal pain in response to temperature changes or pressure. Glomus tumors are thought to arise from the glomus body, a thermoregulatory shunt concentrated in the fingers and toes. Most lesions are solitary and localized to cutaneous sites; however, generalized glomuvenous malformations, or multiple glomangiomas, have also been described, and may have extracutaneous involvement.