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Benign Vs. Malignant Tumours: Which Ones Are Most Dangerous? Expert Reveals
If you discover a new or unusual lump on your body, see your doctor as soon as possible
For those diagnosed with a tumour, your doctor would first determine whether it is benign or malignant. Benign tumours are noncancerous, while malignant tumours are cancerous. However, once the doctor gets to know if your tumour is benign or malignant, they will accordingly develop a treatment plan.
“Benign tumours are non-cancerous growths that do not spread to other parts of the body, while malignant tumours are cancerous and can invade nearby tissues and metastasize. Understanding the difference is crucial for diagnosis and treatment," Dr. Aravind Badiger, Technical Director, BDR Pharmaceuticals, told Times Now.
What is a benign tumour?
These are not cancerous and would not invade surrounding tissue or spread elsewhere. Doctors say they can, however, cause serious problems when they grow near vital organs, press on a nerve, or restrict blood flow. Benign tumours usually respond well to treatment.
“These growths are generally localized and do not spread to other areas of the body. They can often be removed through surgery and are typically not life-threatening,” said Dr. Badiger.
The most common types of benign tumours are:
- Adenomas or polyps that develop in glandlike cells in epithelial tissue
- Fibroids grow in fibrous tissue and can cause pain or other problems
- Hemangiomas are type of tumour made up of extra blood vessels and are mostly found in children
- Lipomas are slow-growing tumours that form in fatty tissue under the skin and can be anywhere but particularly in the neck, shoulders, armpits, or trunk.
What is a malignant tumour?
Malignant tumours are cancerous. Doctors say sometimes, when DNA gets damaged, new cells develop abnormally and continue to multiply faster than the immune system can handle, forming a tumour. “These tumours can grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis,” said Dr. Badiger.
Different types of malignant tumours include the following:
- Carcinomas develop in epithelial cel mostly causing breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
- Sarcomas begins in bones, soft tissues, and fibrous tissues
- Germ cells begin in cells that produce eggs or sperm and are likely to be found in the ovaries or testicles.
- Blastomas start in embryonic tissue and develop cells in the brain, eyes, or nervous stem.
How are benign tumours different from malignant ones?
While benign tumours do not invade nearby tissues, malignant ones are able to do so and spread to other parts of your body to form new tumours.
Normally, benign tumours do not return after they are removed; the benign ones can return. Also, malignant tumours are life-threatening and mostly fatal.
How are tumours diagnosed and treated?
If you discover a new or unusual lump on your body, see your doctor as soon as possible. It can be clearly found during a routine screening or checkup or during a test for some other symptom.
According to doctors, the treatment for cancerous tumours depends on many factors, like where it is located and whether it has spread. “Advancements in cancer therapies, including targeted treatments, immunotherapy, and precision medicine, have revolutionized cancer care. The pharmaceutical industry continues to innovate with the goal of improving outcomes for patients and enhancing the quality of life,” said Dr. Badigar.
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