Benign growths are localized and lack the aggressive traits of cancerous tumors, but can still be dangerous. Malignant tumors grow quickly, invade surrounding tissue, and can spread to other areas of the body. Treatment approaches vary, and lab tests are important in determining the course of treatment. Being alert to physical changes is important for early identification and treatment.
Benign and malignant are two medical terms used to describe abnormal growths in the body. Benign growths are localized tumors that lack the aggressive traits of cancerous tumors, although they are not as harmless as “benign” might suggest. Malignant tumors are dangerous growths that are classified as cancerous. Understanding the difference between benign and malignant is important for patients receiving results from biopsies and other medical procedures.
Several features can be observed in a malignant growth. The tumor usually grows very quickly. It will quickly invade surrounding tissue, making it difficult to remove because cancerous cells can be left behind by a surgeon who can’t find the edges of the growth. Finally, a malignant growth can spread to other areas of the body in a process known as metastasis, via the lymphatic system.
Benign growths are localized. They do not invade surrounding tissue and cannot metastasize. They are usually treatable with surgery and while they can grow quite large, their growth is ultimately limited. However, this does not mean that benign growths are not dangerous. They can grow large enough to put pressure on organs or create obstructions. Benign growths are also capable of becoming malignant.
Treatment approaches for benign and malignant growths vary depending on where the growths are located and the type of growths. For both benign and malignant growths, surgery to remove the growth is an option. In benign growths, surgical treatment may be sufficient, with some monitoring in the future for signs of cellular changes. It may also be necessary to treat malignant growths with chemotherapy, radiation and other means.
In the laboratory, a technician can tell the difference between benign and malignant growths by looking under a microscope. The technician determines which cell types are involved and documents this and other helpful information in a report reviewed by the patient’s physician. Lab tests are an important step in dealing with an abnormal growth because it determines the course of treatment.
Both benign and malignant growths can occur in people of all ages. Sometimes they develop in response to genetic variations or environmental factors. In other cases, they seem to occur spontaneously, with no clear cause for some types of growths. Being alert to physical changes is important for both patients and doctors in order to enable them to identify growths as early as possible. Delaying treatment can have dangerous consequences for some types of benign growths and for most malignant growths.
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