Benign Tumors – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!
Benign Tumors – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition that few know. Also, Benign Tumors are non-cancerous growths in the body. Unlike cancerous tumors , they do not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Benign tumors can form anywhere.
If you discover a lump or mass in your body that can be felt from the outside, you can immediately assume that it is cancerous. For example, women who find breast lumps during self-exams 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 having benign changes in breast tissue. Benign bone tumors , likewise, have a higher prevalence than malignant bone tumors.
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Benign tumors develop when cells in the body divide and grow at an excessive rate. Benign tumors are classified by where they grow. For example, lipomas grow from fat cells. Treatment is not always necessary for Benign Tumors .
Causes of Benign Tumors: The exact causes of Benign Tumors are often unknown. They develop when the body’s cells divide and grow at an excessive rate.
Normally, the body is able to balance cell growth and division. When old or damaged cells die, they are automatically replaced by new, healthy cells. In the case of tumors , the dead cells remain and form a growth known as a tumor.
Cancer cells grow in the same way. However, unlike cells in Benign Tumors , cancer cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Benign Tumors: Not all tumors , whether cancerous or benign, have symptoms.
Depending on the location of the tumor, numerous symptoms can affect the function of important organs or the senses. For example, if you have a benign brain tumor, you may experience headaches, vision problems, and poor memory .
If the tumor is close to the skin or in an area of soft tissue, such as the abdomen , the mass can be felt by contact. Depending on the location, possible symptoms of a benign tumor include:
- Goosebumps
- discomfort or pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- loss of appetite
- night sweat
- Weight loss
Benign tumors can be large enough to detect, particularly if they are close to the skin. However, most are not large enough to cause discomfort or pain. They can be removed if they are.
Lipomas, for example, can be large enough to detect, but they are usually soft, mobile, and painless. Some skin discolorations may be evident in the case of Benign Tumors that appear on the skin, such as nerves. Anything that looks abnormal should be evaluated by a doctor.
Diagnosing Benign Tumors: Doctors use a variety of techniques to diagnose Benign Tumors . The key in diagnosis is determining whether a tumor is benign or malignant. Only laboratory tests can determine this for sure.
Your doctor may start by doing a physical exam and taking your medical history. They will also ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing. Many internal Benign Tumors are found and localized by imaging tests, including:
- Computed tomography
- MRI scans
- mammograms
- Ultra sounds
- X ray
Benign tumors usually have a visual rim of a protective sac that helps doctors diagnose them as benign. Your doctor may also order blood tests to check for the presence of cancer markers.
In other cases, doctors will take a biopsy of the tumor to determine whether it is benign or malignant. The biopsy will be more or less invasive depending on the location of the tumor. Skin tumors are easy to remove and only require a local anesthetic, while colon polyps require a colonoscopy, for example, and a stomach tumor may require an endoscopy.
Treatments for Benign Tumors: Not all Benign Tumors need treatment. If your tumor is small and not causing any symptoms, your doctor may recommend a watch-and-wait approach. In these cases, treatment may be riskier than letting the tumor remain. Some tumors will never need treatment.
If your doctor decides to proceed with treatment, the specific treatment will depend on the location of the tumor. It can be removed for cosmetic reasons if, for example, it is located on the face or neck. Other tumors that affect organs , nerves, or blood vessels are commonly removed with surgery to prevent further problems.
Tumor surgery is usually done using endoscopic techniques, which means the instruments are contained in tube-like devices. This technique requires smaller, if any, surgical incisions and less healing time.
Procedures like upper endoscopies and colonoscopies require almost no recovery time, although patients will need someone to drive them home and will likely sleep for the rest of the day. Skin tumor biopsies take a few weeks to fully heal and require basic recovery procedures such as changing the dressing and maintaining the dressing.
The more invasive the treatment, the longer recovery time will be required. Recovery from a benign brain tumor removal , for example, may take longer. Even once it’s removed, you may need speech therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy to address problems the tumor leaves behind. If surgery cannot safely access your tumor, your doctor may prescribe radiation therapy to help reduce its size or stop it from growing.
While maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising and eating a balanced diet can prevent health problems, including some cancers, there are no natural or alternative remedies for Benign Tumors on their own.
How to Deal with Benign Tumors: Many Benign Tumors can be left alone if they don’t show symptoms and don’t create complications. You will be told to simply keep an eye on it and watch for changes.
If you didn’t remove the tumor, your doctor may have done routine tests or imaging tests to make sure the tumor isn’t growing.
As long as the tumor does not cause pain or discomfort, and is not changing or growing, you can live with a benign tumor indefinitely.
When Should I See a Doctor: Although many tumors turn out to be benign, it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you notice a growth or new symptoms that could indicate a tumor. This includes unusual-looking skin lesions or moles.
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It’s also important to make an appointment with your doctor if you notice changes in a tumor previously diagnosed as benign, including the growth or change in symptoms. Some types of benign tumors can become cancerous over time, and early detection can make all the difference.