This automatically gives them the perception that cancer comes with the mention of the word “tumor.” Let us correct common myths surrounding benign tumors and know the reality surrounding them in terms of health today.
What is a benign tumor, anyway?
A benign tumor is something like an additional tissue mass in the body, but it is not cancerous. Imagine a small balloon filled with cells that have decided to grow more than they should but aren’t dangerous like cancer cells. These cells stay in one place and do not spread to other body parts.
These grow relatively slowly and have clear borders, making them look almost like a marble hiding under your skin. Where cancer tends to spread from the original location and invade neighboring tissues, benign tumors, in general, stay exactly where they developed. They are covered by a fragile membrane that isolates them from neighboring healthy tissue.
Do you have to remove every benign tumor?
Maybe it’s one of the biggest myths, but not all benign tumors require surgical or medical intervention. In most cases, benign tumors just sit there if they do not cause any problems. It is somewhat similar to having a small mole on your skin. You do not have to remove it if it is not causing you trouble and does not change.
However, sometimes harmful tumors must be treated. This is most common when they compress vital organs or nerves and cause pain or impair that region’s function. For instance, a brain tumor that is in its preliminary phases may require surgery to have it eradicated because it exerts pressure on essential areas of the brain, even though it is not cancerous.
Becoming malignant: does a benign tumor turn into cancer?
Many people have this feeling; however, this fear is usually unfounded. Most benign tumors never become cancerous. A benign tumor is like a plant in a pot that never spreads, whereas cancer is a weed that spreads all over. The plant in the pot usually remains that: a plant in a pot.
However, doctors monitor certain types of benign tumors just in case. Rare ones may become cancerous in several years. That is why you should visit your doctor for check-ups and report anything you notice.
Why do benign tumors form in the first place?
Scientists do not know all the reasons why benign tumors appear. However, they found some common causes. For example, sometimes, it is just due to the hormonal imbalance in our body. At other times, it might occur due to some unusual healing of an injury. Genetics can also cause the problem – if your parents had some types of benign tumors, you may more easily get them.
The good news, however, is that having benign tumors does not mean something is wrong on your part because these are usually not things that could be caused by diet or lifestyle, though staying healthy is always good for a body.
Do benign tumors pain?
Most benign tumors do not cause pain, but there is always an exception. It depends on where the tumor is and what it is pressing on. A benign tumor could be pressing a painful nerve or in fat and not bothering the patient at all.
It is like walking in shoes that feel slightly small for my feet. It hurts if they pinch a sensitive area, but if they are only slightly tight on a less sensitive area, you do not even feel it.
How are benign tumors treated?
Doctors have many alternatives when treatment is needed. Surgery is usually recommended for huge tumors or problems, but the situation can sometimes be better handled in other ways. Doctors often prescribe special treatments to shrink the size of the tumor or simple time-based observation to guarantee the cancer won’t present as a problem.
It’s based on many things: the tumor’s size, location, whether it’s symptomatic, and what you and your doctor feel is best for your case. Today’s data show that it is not a two-choice situation.
What should one do if one finds one such lump or bump?
Although most lumps and bumps are harmless, most of the time, there is no harm in going and discussing it with a doctor nonetheless. Consider it like finding something out of the ordinary in your garden. It is probably some new plant, but you could look to see if something should be done about it.
This typically results in a simple test; hence, an ultrasound and other scans will inform whether the tumor is benign. This facilitates observing what the growth consists of and then observing whether it has features identical to benign tumors.
Quick Summary
A lump doesn’t imply bad news. Most of the lumps and bumps people find are innocuous, and even for those who require treatment, most will have received good treatment. Thus, it remains not only to panic over what is seen but also to get proper medical advice from your physician to fully understand what you’re having on your body.
Most importantly, it is important to know about benign tumors. They are simply not dangerous. Sometimes, they may need to be looked at, but they aren’t cancer. That information alone can reduce unnecessary concern and help you make more thoughtful decisions about your care.
REFERENCE LINKS:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/expert-answers/tumor/faq-20057829
- https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-are-benign-tumors-and-four-more-questions.h00-159536589.html
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9945135/
- https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/hpv-myths-facts/
- https://www.mountsinai.org/care/surgery/services/pediatric-surgery/conditions-we-treat/benign-tumors-lesions