What are Benign Tumors ?

5 facts about Benign Tumors

1. Definition
Benign tumor is a cell mass that does not have an invasive potential or the capacity to spread.

2. Characteristics

• they show a limited growth. 
• the cells are not anaplasitc. They still resemble the parent cells and have not undergone complete dis-figuration.
• the cells divide more than normal cells do, but this process slows down and stops in a certain amount of time.
• these cells are always confined in a capsule or fibrous tissue, which has a distinctive border and shape.
• these cells lack the ability to spread to neighboring tissues.

a benign tumor in the fibrous capsule

3. Classification
The suffix -oma is used to classify benign tumors ( but not carcinoma, sarcoma, blastoma which are malignant) for example-

• lipoma-benign tumor of fat
• chondroma-benign tumor of cartilages
• adenoma-benign tumor of glands
• teratoma-benign tumor of germ-cells
• melanoma-benign tumor of melanin producing cells in skin
• seminoma- benign tumor of male reproductive cells

4. How harmful are benign tumors?

• Generally, not very harmful. They are more commonly found than malignant tumors. benign tumors are mostly asymptomatic, but the threat is because of their size and location.
• Sometimes, it can have a fatal effect because the size is too large and it produces compression over normal tissues. This can cause less blood flow (ischemia), which can lead to death of tissue (necrosis). Hence, it can cause organ damage.
• Some of these benign ones produce hormones as well. For instance, an insulinoma produces insulin more than necessary and may cause hypoglycemia. Similarly, a pituitary adenoma may secrete excessive growth hormone and lead to acromegaly.
• In case of a meningioma, a tumor is formed in the meninges or covering of the brain. When it grows, it may interfere with vital brain functions. though this tumor will not invade through blood or lymph, it is still risky to let it grow or remove it.

5. Treatment

• Mostly surgery is used to remove the commonly occurring benign tumors, even the meningioma.
• Most of them would not respond to Chemotherapy or Radiation with an exception of a few.
• Other treatments include sclerotherapy, cryotherapy or laser.

 Also read-
What are Benign Tumors?
What is Malignancy?
5 reasons why you should study Oncology.
What is psycho-oncology?
Cancer and surgery.
What is Radiation oncology?
What is Cancer-related fatigue?