What’s a benign tumor?

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Benign tumors are masses that do not have the characteristics associated with cancerous tumors. Often, the tumor is self-contained and does not take root in surrounding organs and tissues. Although tumors of this type are not cancerous, there are often still good reasons to remove them from the body.
A benign tumor will differ from a malignant tumor in several important ways. First, a benign tumor will not permeate the surrounding tissue and cause damage to the structural integrity of the organs. Conversely, malignant tumors will invade the tissue in the area of ​​the growth and also begin to spread or metastasize to lymph nodes and any organs in the immediate vicinity of the lump.

Growth rate is also another sign that a tumor is malignant or benign. A neoplasm will grow at a relatively fast rate, with changes in size evident in a very short period of time. A benign tumor will grow at a much slower rate, with very little change in size or shape for several weeks or months.

Even if a benign tumor does not attack or insert itself into surrounding organs, there are still many cases where removal of the tumor is required. The mass of the tumor can press against vital organs or interfere with the function of various tissues in the body. When this happens, the body may try to make more of the various hormones it actually needs. This action in turn interferes with the proper functioning of any organ flooded with excess hormones.

Depending on the location and structure of the mass, there are several common types of benign tumors. Two of the most common are simple moles and uterine fibroid tumors. The types of tumors that tend to grow and interfere with hormone production include pituitary adenomas, thyroid adenomas, and adrenocortical adenomas.

When a tumor is identified, it is not unusual for a doctor to recommend removal of the tumor. There are two reasons for this. First, while the tumor is not currently malignant, it may have some attributes that lead the doctor to believe it could become malignant. A second reason for having the tumor removed is that the location of the mass could be causing a variety of aches and pains which will be relieved when the mass is no longer present in the body.

In many situations, even a tumor judged to be benign is tested after removal to ensure that there are no initial signs of malignancy that have not been identified earlier in the treatment process. When there is evidence that the benign tumor was in the process of turning into a malignant tumor, healthcare professionals can take additional steps to ensure that there is no lingering residue in the body that could lead to the development of cancer at a later date.

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