Eight cases of malignant tumors, 38 cases of benign tumors, 15 cases of metastatic tumors, and 14 cases of tumor-like lesions arising in tendons seen over a period of 22 years (1967-1988) are surveyed. Benign tumors of tendon occur relatively frequently - in 38 (1.7%) of 2143 tendon biopsies - but malignant tumors (0.37%) and metastases (0.70%) are extremely rare. Malignant tumors occurred most frequently in lower limb tendons, while benign tumors were most often found in the tendons of the hand.