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. Fibroids are tumors that grow in the uterus. They are usually benign. Learn about the types, causes, symptoms, and treatments associated with fibroids….
Chemotherapy can be an effective way of treating cancer. Some cancer drugs can stop cancers from growing their own blood vessels. These drugs are called anti angiogenic drugs. They can't get rid of a cancer but might be able to shrink it or stop it growing. More of these drugs are being developed and tested all the time. We have information about drugs that block blood vessel growth. You can also find out about trials that are looking at anti angiogenic drugs on our clinical trials database.
This is called local invasion. Researchers don't fully understand how cancer grows into the surrounding tissues. A cancer might grow out in a random direction from where it started. However, researchers know that tumours can spread into some tissues more easily than others. For example, large blood vessels that have strong walls and dense tissues such as cartilage are hard for tumours to grow into.
So, tumours tend to grow along the 'path of least resistance'. This means that they probably take the easiest route. We know from research that there are 3 different ways that tumours may grow into surrounding tissues.
A tumour probably uses all 3 of these ways of spreading. The way it uses most depends on:. As the tumour grows and takes up more space, it begins to press on the normal body tissue nearby. The tumour growth will force itself through the normal tissue, as in the diagram below. The finger like appearance of the growth happens because it is easier for the growing cancer to force its way through some paths than others.
For instance, women who find lumps in their breasts during self-examinations are often alarmed. However, most breast growths are benign. In fact, many growths throughout the body are benign. Benign growths are extremely common, with 9 out of 10 women showing benign breast tissue changes. Benign bone tumors, similarly, have a higher prevalence than malignant bone tumors. Read more: What is a hamartoma? The exact cause of a benign tumor is often unknown.
It develops when cells in the body divide and grow at an excessive rate. Typically, the body is able to balance cell growth and division. When old or damaged cells die, they are automatically replaced with new, healthy cells.
In the case of tumors, dead cells remain and form a growth known as a tumor. Cancer cells grow in the same manner. However, unlike the cells in benign tumors, cancerous cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Benign tumors are classified by where they grow. Lipomas , for example, grow from fat cells, while myomas grow from muscle. Different types of benign tumors are included below:. In many cases, benign tumors will be monitored carefully. Noncancerous moles or colon polyps, for example, can turn into cancer at a later time. Some types of internal benign tumors may cause other problems.
Uterine fibroids can cause pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding , and some internal tumors may restrict a blood vessel or cause pain by pressing on a nerve.
Can spread via bloodstream or lymphatic system, or by sending "fingers" into nearby tissue. Cells have abnormal chromosomes and DNA characterized by large, dark nuclei; may have abnormal shape. May require aggressive treatment, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy medications.
Some types of benign tumors only very rarely transform into malignant tumors. But some types, such as adenomatous polyps adenomas in the colon have a greater risk of transforming into cancer.
That is why polyps, which are benign, are removed during colonoscopy. Removing them is one way of preventing colon cancer. It's not always clear-cut whether a tumor is benign or malignant, and your healthcare provider may use several different factors to diagnose it as one or the other. You may end up with an uncertain diagnosis. Also, it is possible that a biopsy finds precancerous cells or misses the area where the cancerous cells are more prevalent.
In these cases, what was thought to be benign might turn out to be malignant as it further grows and develops.
If you have been diagnosed with a malignant tumor, your oncologist cancer doctor will devise a treatment plan with you based on the stage of cancer. Early-stage cancers haven't spread much, if at all, whereas later-stage cancers have spread to more areas of the body.
Once the cancer stage is determined, you can proceed with therapy. If you have been diagnosed with a benign tumor, your healthcare provider will provide reassurance that you do not have cancer. Depending on the type of benign tumor, your healthcare provider may recommend observation or removal for cosmetic or health purposes for instance, the tumor may be compromising an important organ in your body.
Being diagnosed with a tumor can be an anxiety-ridden experience. Be sure to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider and ask whether there are any support groups that you can join. And remember, the earlier that you or your healthcare provider detects a lump, the more likely the tumor is treatable. So if you notice something unusual on your body, don't wait to tell your healthcare provider.
Surgical removal of the tumor is often used for both benign and malignant tumors. Often, this is the only treatment needed for benign tumors. In many cases, benign tumors are merely observed and do not require removal. However, treatment of each type can vary depending on tumor size, location, age of the patient, stage of the cancer for malignant tumors, and overall health of the patient. Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones.
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