Mass of cells which cannot spread throughout the body
Medical condition
Benign tumor
Other names
non-cancerous tumor
Normal epidermis and dermis with intradermal nevus, 10x-cropped
Specialty
Oncology, Pathology
A benign tumor is a mass of cells (tumor) that does not invade neighboring tissue or metastasize (spread throughout the body). Compared to malignant (cancerous) tumors, benign tumors generally have a slower growth rate. Benign tumors have relatively well differentiated cells. They are often surrounded by an outer surface (fibrous sheath of connective tissue) or stay contained within the epithelium. Common examples of benign tumors include moles and uterine fibroids.
Some forms of benign tumors may be harmful to health. Benign tumor growth causes a mass effect that can compress neighboring tissues. This can lead to nerve damage, blood flow reduction (ischemia), tissue death (necrosis), or organ damage. The health effects of benign tumor growth may be more prominent if the tumor is contained within an enclosed space such as the cranium, respiratory tract, sinus, or bones. For example, unlike most benign tumors elsewhere in the body, benign brain tumors can be life-threatening. Tumors may exhibit behaviors characteristic of their cell type of origin; as an example, endocrine tumors such as thyroid adenomas and adrenocortical adenomas may overproduce certain hormones.
The word "benign" means "favourable, kind, fortunate, salutary, propitious".[1] However, a benign tumour is not benign in the usual sense; the name merely specifies that it is not "malignant", i.e. cancerous. While benign tumours usually do not pose a serious health risk, they can be harmful or fatal.[2] Many types of benign tumors have the potential to become cancerous (malignant) through a process known as tumor progression. For this reason and other possible harms, some benign tumors are removed by surgery. When removed, benign tumors usually do not return. Exceptions to this rule may indicate malignant transformation.
^"Benign". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
^Rao AK (February 2021). "Overview of Heart Tumors - Treatment of noncancerous (benign) heart tumors". MSD Manual Consumer Version. Children with this type of [inoperable, benign] tumor usually die of an abnormal heart rhythm at an early age.
A benigntumor is a mass of cells (tumor) that does not invade neighboring tissue or metastasize (spread throughout the body). Compared to malignant (cancerous)...
A brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. There are two main types of tumors: malignant (cancerous) tumors and benign (non-cancerous)...
familiar as a characterization of cancer. A malignant tumor contrasts with a non-cancerous benigntumor in that a malignancy is not self-limited in its growth...
An adenoma is a benigntumor of epithelial tissue with glandular origin, glandular characteristics, or both. Adenomas can grow from many glandular organs...
to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benigntumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal...
bone tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in bone, traditionally classified as noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Cancerous bone tumors usually...
because the liver is made up of various cell types. Liver tumors can be classified as benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) growths. They may...
A vascular tumor is a tumor of vascular origin; a soft tissue growth that can be either benign or malignant, formed from blood vessels or lymph vessels...
An adrenal tumor or adrenal mass is any benign or malignant neoplasms of the adrenal gland, several of which are notable for their tendency to overproduce...
acoustic neuroma, is a benigntumor that develops on the vestibulocochlear nerve that passes from the inner ear to the brain. The tumor originates when Schwann...
A lipoma is a benigntumor made of fat tissue. They are generally soft to the touch, movable, and painless. They usually occur just under the skin, but...
neuromata or neuromas) is a growth or tumor of nerve tissue. Neuromas tend to be benign (i.e. not cancerous); many nerve tumors, including those that are commonly...
Fibromas are benigntumors that are composed of fibrous or connective tissue. They can grow in all organs, arising from mesenchyme tissue. The term "fibroblastic"...
Ovarian tumors, or ovarian neoplasms, are tumors found in the ovary. They can be benign or malignant (ovarian cancer). They consist of mainly solid tissue...
is imperative to diagnose the individual as having benigntumor vs. malignant tumor. Benigntumors are cancerous masses typically outside the testicle...
Germ cell tumor (GCT) is a neoplasm derived from the primordial germ cells. Germ-cell tumors can be cancerous or benign. Germ cells normally occur inside...
production is due to a benigntumor, known as a pituitary adenoma. The condition is not inherited. Acromegaly is rarely due to a tumor in another part of...
tumors are those neoplasms of the vulva. Vulvar and vaginal neoplasms make up a small percentage (3%) of female genital cancers. They can be benign or...
from benigntumors. Most cancers can metastasize, although in varying degrees. Basal cell carcinoma for example rarely metastasizes. When tumor cells...
12,487 autopsies performed in Hong Kong seven cardiac tumors were found, most of which were benign. According to Mayo Clinic: "At Mayo Clinic, on average...
Thyroid neoplasm is a neoplasm or tumor of the thyroid. It can be a benigntumor such as thyroid adenoma, or it can be a malignant neoplasm (thyroid cancer)...
invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors or lumps are cancerous; benigntumors are not classified as being cancer because they do not...
A leiomyoma, also known as a fibroid, is a benign smooth muscle tumor that very rarely becomes cancer (0.1%). They can occur in any organ, but the most...
performed due to neoplasms (tumors), which are growths of rapidly and abnormally dividing cells. Neoplasms can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant...
A skin tag, or acrochordon (pl.: acrochorda), is a small benigntumor that forms primarily in areas where the skin forms creases (or rubs together), such...
enlargement of an organ, and the term is sometimes confused with benign neoplasia or benigntumor. Hyperplasia is a common preneoplastic response to stimulus...
'formation, creation'. A neoplasm can be benign, potentially malignant, or malignant (cancer). Benigntumors include uterine fibroids, osteophytes , and...
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