When you are diagnosed with tumor, there is going to be a rapid emotional response, which may include mental and physical one. Terror denotes a common reaction to the word “tumor”, regardless of whether it is malignant or benign. The main difference between the two types of tumors, which cover cancerous and non-cancerous, is important to take into account.
Understanding what contributes to the growth of benign or malignant tumor is related to recognizing your prognosis, the varied steps that you will have to take to rectify the imbalance which caused it, and what it might mean as to your future health condition. Basically, all tumors share certain characteristics in that they are cells that your body does not require and damaged or old cells are not destroyed when they have to be. To help up understand the difference between benign and malignant tumor, this article will address the basic definitions of these two traits of cancer.
Benign Tumor
If you are told that your tumor appears to be benign that means that it is not cancerous. It is actually similar to cancer because the growth denotes the result of abnormal cells. However, different from cancer, it is unable to spread to the other areas of the body, such as lungs or brain, and it does not impact nearby tissue. It is a contained mass whish stays where it grows tissue. A benign tumor, on its own, is not dangerous. But, the location of the tumor is what poses the threat. If the mass puts pressure on the primary nerve, main artery, or even compresses brain area, even just a benign tumor can trigger serious issues. Some suspected causes of some benign tumors include chronic inflammation, traumatic injury at the tumor location, improper diet, or an undetected infection.
The Most Common Types of Benign Tumors
- Adenomas (epithelial tissue that covers the organs and glands)
- Meningiomas (brain and spinal cord)
- Fibromas or fibroids (connective tissue of any organ – most commonly found in the uterus)
- Papillomas (skin, breast, cervix, and mucus membranes)
- Lipomas (fat cells)
- Nevi (moles)
- Myomas (muscle tissue)
- Hemangiomas (blood vessels and skin)
- Neuromas (nerves)
- Osteochondromas (bones)
Depending on the location and size of benign tumor, the treatment may not be required. Doctors will monitor it, carry out test at particular intervals, and track the patient’s symptoms. Benign tumors are often surrounded by a protective “sac”, which a mechanism is carried out by your immune system. This segregates it from the rest of your body and enables it to be easily detached. If you happen to be diagnosed with a benign tumor, altering or changing your diet to anti-cancer regime is robust option. Some benign tumors can turn malignant, yet it is quite rare. Even when they are detached, your doctor will arrange regular tests periodically so as to assure no additional tumors forming, which is actually a rare case.
To sum up, benign tumors usually respond well to treatment and the prognosis is commonly favourable. Now let us see how malignant tumors differ from the aforementioned.
