Benign tumor

 A benign tumor is an abnormal mass of cells that remains confined to its original location and does not invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. While benign tumors are not cancerous, they can cause health problems depending on their size and location.

Histopathology of lining of a benign mucinous tumor of the ovary

Characteristics

Benign tumors are characterized by their lack of aggressive features. They grow slowly and have well-defined borders, often encapsulated by a layer of connective tissue. Under microscopic examination, the cells of a benign tumor resemble normal cells and are differentiated, which means they maintain their specialized (cell-type specific) functions.

Types of Benign Tumors

• Benign tumors can arise from different types of tissues. Some examples include:
• Adenomas: These originate from glandular epithelium, like those found in the colon or liver.
• Lipomas: These form from fat cells and are commonly found beneath the skin.
• Fibromas or Fibroids: These originate from fibrous or connective tissue, such as that in the uterus (uterine fibroids).
• Hemangiomas: These are benign tumors of the blood vessels and are common in infants.
• Nevi (singular: Nevus): Commonly known as moles, these are benign skin tumors.

Symptoms and Complications

While many benign tumors are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, some can cause symptoms due to their size or location. They may compress surrounding tissues, leading to pain or functional impairment. In the brain, for example, a benign tumor can cause headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits. Benign tumors can also secrete hormones, as seen in pituitary adenomas, leading to hormonal imbalances and related symptoms.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of benign tumors often involves a combination of imaging studies (like ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) and biopsy for histopathological examination. In some cases, the characteristic appearance of a benign tumor on imaging can be enough to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment of benign tumors depends on their location, size, and associated symptoms. Some asymptomatic benign tumors may simply be monitored over time. If a benign tumor is causing symptoms or potential complications, surgical removal may be recommended. In certain cases, such as uterine fibroids or certain liver adenomas, medication may be used to manage symptoms or shrink the tumor.

Prognosis

The prognosis for benign tumors is generally good. After surgical removal, most benign tumors do not recur. However, if complete removal is not possible, or if the tumor is linked to a genetic syndrome, there may be a risk of recurrence.

See Also

• Tumor
• Malignant tumor
• Cancer
• Pathology
• Oncology

References

• Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC. (2018). Robbins Basic Pathology. Elsevier.
• El-Nashar SA, West CP, et al. (2020). Prediction of Treatment Outcomes After Global Endometrial Ablation. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 135(1), 103–112.
• Limaiem F, Mlika M. (2019). Basic Principles of Tumor Pathology. In: Pathology. IntechOpen.

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