Cancer Therapy & Oncology

International Journal
ISSN: 2473-554X

Short Communication Canc Therapy & Oncol Int J

Volume 10 Issue 3 - May 2018
Copyright © All rights are reserved by Tarini Sinha
DOI: 10.19080/CTOIJ.2018.10.555790

Tumors: Benign and Malignant

Tarini Sinha*
Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur
Submission: April 27, 2018; Published: May 01, 2018
Correspondence Address: Tarini Sinha, Radiation student, Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
*

Introduction
breast cancer begins in the breast tissue and may spread to
A tumor is a pathologic disturbance of cell growth,
lymph nodes in the armpit if it’s not caught early enough and
characterized by excessive and abnormal proliferation of cells.
treated. Once breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the
Tumors are abnormal mass of tissue which may be solid or
cancer cells can travel to other areas of the body, like the bones
fluid filled. When the growth of tumor cells confined to the
or liver. The breast cancer cells can then form tumors in those
site of origin and are of normal physicality they are concluded
locations referred as secondary tumor. A biopsy of these tumors
as benign tumors. When the cells are abnormal and can grow
might show characteristics of the original breast cancer tumor.
uncontrollably, they are concluded as cancerous cells i.e.
malignant tumor. Tumors are also called as ‘NEOPLASM’. To Examples: Breast cancer, skin cancer.
determine whether a tumor is benign or cancerous, a doctor
can take a sample of the cells with a biopsy procedure. Then the Differences Between Benign and Malignant Tumors
biopsy is analyzed under a microscope by a pathologist (a doctor There are many important differences between benign and
specializing in laboratory science). malignant tumors which are as follows:

Benign Tumors: Noncancerous i. On the Basis of Growth rate: Generally malignant

tumors grow more rapidly than benign tumors, although
If the cells are non-cancerous, the tumor is concluded as
there are slow-growing and fast-growing tumors in either
benign. It won’t invade nearby tissues or spread to other areas of
category.
the body (metastasize). A benign tumor is less harmful unless it
is present nearby any important organs, tissues, nerves, or blood ii. On the basis of Ability to invade locally: Malignant
vessels and causing damage. Fibroids in the uterus and breast, tumors use to invade the tissues around them. One of the
polyps of colon and moles are some examples of benign tumors. most prominent hallmarks of cancer is penetration of the
Benign tumors can be removed by surgery. They can grow very basal membrane that surrounds normal tissues.
large, sometimes weighing pounds. They can be dangerous, such
iii. On the Basis of Ability to spread at distance:
as when they occur in the brain and crowd the normal structures
Malignant tumors may spread to other parts of the body
in the enclosed space of the skull. They can press on vital organs
using the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Malignant
or block channels. Also, some types of benign tumors such
tumors may also invade nearby tissues and send out fingers
as intestinal polyps are considered as precancerous and are
into them, while benign tumors don’t. Benign tumors only
removed immediately to prevent them becoming malignant.
grow in size at the place of their origin.
Benign tumors usually don’t reoccur once removed, but if they
do it is usually in the same place. iv. On the Basis of Recurrence: Benign tumors can
be removed completely by surgery as they have clearer
Examples: Moles, Fibroid cyst in breast or uterus, polyps of
boundaries, and as a result, they are less likely to reoccur.
colon.
If they do reoccur, it is only at the original site. Malignant
Malignant Tumors: Cancerous tumors may spread to other parts of body. They are more
Malignant means that the tumor is made of cancer cells and likely to reoccur such as breast cancer recurring in the lungs
it can invade nearby tissues. Some cancer cells can move into or bones.
the bloodstream or lymph nodes, where they can spread to v. On the Basis of Cellular Appearance: When a
other tissues within the body—this is called metastasis. Cancer pathologist looks at tumor cells under a microscope, it is
can occur anywhere in the body including the breast, lungs, very easy to determine whether they are normal, benign
intestines, reproductive organs, blood, or skin. For example, cells or cancerous cells as Cancer cells often have abnormal

Canc Therapy & Oncol Int J 10(3): CTOIJ.MS.ID.555790 (2018) 001

 Cancer Therapy & Oncology International Journal

chromosomes and DNA, making their nuclei larger and vii. On the Basis of Treatments: A benign tumor can
darker. They also often have different shapes than normal usually be completely treated with surgery, although some
cells. However, sometimes the difference is subtle. may be treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Some benign tumors are not treated as they are not posing
vi. On the Basis of Systemic effects: There are some
any health risk. Malignant tumors may require chemotherapy,
benign tumors that secrete hormones, such as benign
radiation therapy, or immunotherapy medications to
pheochromocytomas, malignant tumors are more likely to
eliminate a tumor cell that still remains after treatment or
do so. Malignant tumors can secrete substances that cause
to treat secondary tumors present at other parts of the body
effects throughout the body, such as fatigue and weight loss.
(Figure 1).
This is known as paraneoplastic syndrome.

Figure 1: Benign and Malignant Tumor.

Can a Benign Tumor Turn into Malignant? whether a tumor is benign or malignant that’s why doctors
use several different factors to diagnose it as one or the other.
Rarely some types of benign tumors transform into malignant
Sometimes it may end up with an uncertain diagnosis. Also, it is
tumors. But tumors like adenomatous polyps (adenomas) in the
possible that a biopsy finds precancerous cells or misses the area
colon have a greater risk of transforming into malignant tumor.
where the cancerous cells are more prevalent. In these cases,
That is why polyps, which are benign, are removed during
what was thought to be benign might turn out to be malignant as
colonoscopy to avoid further complications. Removing them
it further grows and develops.
is one way of preventing colon cancer. It’s not always clear-cut

002 How to cite this article: Tarini Sinha. Tumors: Benign and Malignant. Canc Therapy & Oncol Int J. 2018; 10(3): 555790. DOI:10.19080/CTOIJ.2018.10.555790.
 Cancer Therapy & Oncology International Journal

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003 How to cite this article: Tarini Sinha. Tumors: Benign and Malignant. Canc Therapy & Oncol Int J. 2018; 10(3): 555790. DOI:10.19080/CTOIJ.2018.10.555790.