Learn what you can do to make a difference for those in the brain tumor community. Mediastinal tumors develop in the chest and are rare. Children and adults can develop this tumor. Learn more here. Back mice is a nonmedical term for painful lumps on your lower back or hips. The term may refer to number of different conditions. Learn more about…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Benign tumors Premalignant tumors Malignant tumors Key differences Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Bottom line When you hear the word tumor, you likely think of cancer.
A tumor is a cluster of abnormal cells. Depending on the types of cells in a tumor, it can be: Benign. Premalignant or precancerous. It contains abnormal cells that have the potential to become cancerous. The tumor contains cancerous cells. What is a benign tumor? What are the key differences between benign and malignant tumors?
How are tumors diagnosed? But there's good news, your doctor explains: Your tumor is benign, aka not cancerous. So that's a relief. To get some answers, we sat down with Dr. Alexandra Gangi: Like all tumors, a benign tumor is a mass of abnormal cells. But unlike malignant cancerous tumors, they can't move into neighboring tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Sometimes they're surrounded by a protective sac that makes them easy to remove. Blood tests, a biopsy, or imaging—like an X-ray—can determine if the tumor is benign or malignant.
Read: Diagnosing Tumors with Artificial Intelligence. AG: Nobody knows. One theory is that there's something wrong in the way the cells grow. But that doesn't mean the tumor will spread like a malignant tumor does. AG: Benign tumors will sometimes be removed for cosmetic reasons. Some fibroids or moles can grow or spread to other parts of the body. They should be frequently checked to make sure they're not becoming precancerous.
If the cancer has spread, the treatment is likely to be systemic, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. American Cancer Society www. Cancer Research UK www. Published Online: July 30, Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported. Conflicts of interest comprise financial interests, activities, and relationships within the past 3 years including but not limited to employment, affiliation, grants or funding, consultancies, honoraria or payment, speaker's bureaus, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, royalties, donation of medical equipment, or patents planned, pending, or issued.
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By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy Continue. Save Preferences. Privacy Policy Terms of Use. Sarcoma : These tumors start in connective tissue, such as cartilage, bones, fat, and nerves.
They originate in the cells outside the bone marrow. Most sarcomas are malignant. Germ cell tumor : These tumors develop in the cells that produce sperm and eggs. They usually occur in the ovaries or testicles, but they may also appear in the brain, abdomen, or chest. Blastoma : These tumors form from embryonic tissue or developing cells. Blastomas are much more common in children than in adults. They can lead to tumors in the brain, eye, or nervous system.
Testicular cancer starts in the germ cells. Learn more here. A person can sometimes see or feel a tumor, but others will only show up on imaging tests, such as a mammogram or an MRI. However, these tests can only detect whether a lump is present.
A biopsy is necessary to determine the type of lump. The doctor will take a small sample of tissue and send it to a laboratory where technicians will examine it under a microscope. The doctor may take the sample either in their office, using a needle, or during a surgical procedure to remove the tumor.
They may decide that a person needs surgery first if they suspect that a tumor is malignant or if it is pressing on a nerve or causing other problems. Learn more about what a biopsy involves. Many benign tumors pose no significant health risks. However, doctors may recommend removing them just in case.
A malignant tumor can be more challenging to treat, but effective treatment is usually possible in the early stages. For this reason, it is important for people to attend routine health checks, as these can often make early diagnosis possible.
Anyone who finds a lump, growth, or another unusual change on their body should see a doctor. Usually, the growth will be no cause for concern, but it is better to check. While cysts and tumors may look and feel similar, there are key differences.
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