Malignant and benign tumors
A tumor (also called neoplasm) is the abnormal growth of cells and/or tissues. Tumors are either benign or malignant, and are unregulated by the natural control mechanisms of the body. According to the National Cancer Institute, tumors are classified as leukemia, non-small cell lung cancers, NCI-H226, CNS tumors, melanoma, ovarian, renal, prostate and breast tumors.
Spread
Malignant tumors are spread by metastasis and invasion while benign tumors cannot be spread by either metastasis or invasion. Metastasis (also called metastatic disease or mets) is the ability of cancerous cells to spill, leak or break away from their site of origin (pancreas, prostate, kidney, breast, lung or colon), or primary tumor, and enter the blood and lymphatic vessels. These cancerous cells are deposited within healthy tissues of the body, where they multiply and grow--affecting vital organs. Most malignant cancers are capable of metastasizing. Malignant tumors are also spread by invasion--the process in which cancerous cells invade the blood vessels. Benign tumors, on the other hand, grow locally at the site of the original tumor.
Risk Factor
Benign tumors are significantly less dangerous than malignant tumors. For instance, melanoma is a type of malignant cancer that is born in the skin and spreads through the bloodstream to other organs, such as the brain or the liver. Benign tumors by themselves are not life threatening, but may result in complications if they press on vital body organs, such as the brain.
Types
The three main types of malignant tumors include leukemias, sarcomas and carcinomas. Leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow or blood, which is characterized by an atypical increase in white blood cells. It is classified into acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, lymphoblastic leukemia and myelogenous leukemia. A sarcoma is a type of malignant cancer that affects connecting tissue cells, such as fat, cartilage and bone cells. Types of sarcomas include leiomyosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma. Carcinomas are malignant tumors that include squamous cell carcinoma, anaplastic carcinomas, small cell lung carinoma, pleomorphic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Types of benign tumors include leiomyomas (muscle tumors), lipomas (fat tissue tumors), neurilemomas (nerve tumors), nodular tenosynovitis (joint tumor) and hemangiomas (skin or internal organ tumors).
Treatment
Benign tumors are typically treated with surgery, and it is uncommon for the original tumor to reappear. Malignant tumors are treated and managed by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cryotherapy and surgical excision.
Tags: cancerous cells, also called, Benign tumors, Benign tumors, cancer that, cell lung
