Benign
Benign, or non-cancerous, is a term used in the medical field that generally describes a condition that is both mild and not progressing. Specifically, benign is mostly used in the discipline of oncology and refers to a tumor that is not
malignant (cancerous and spreading). However, this does not imply that the tumor is harmless. Although slow-growing, benign tumors can press on sensitive tissues, blood vessels, nerves, and organs, and potentially disrupt their normal function.
Generally, benign tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that are composed of cells that are self-limiting in terms of growth potential. In some cases, negative health effects are realized before the benign masses have reached their growth limit. Benign intracranial (brain) tumors can very quickly create a mass effect. This occurs, and can be devastating, because the brain is enclosed in a bony casing with nowhere to go when a space-occupying lesion is introduced. This phenomenon can also befall blood vessels. Moreover, benign tumors affecting endocrine glands can cause an overproduction of otherwise normal hormones.
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Certain benign tumors can progress to a malignant
cancer. The tumor can undergo mutations during any number of genetic fluxes that may give rise to a malignant subpopulation. For example, benign polyps found in the
colon are harmless; however, genetic alterations over time can allow the polyp to become a malignant tumor that is
diagnosed as colon cancer. Like other benign tumors that subsequently progress to a malignant state, errors in cell maturation have been shown to be important precursors.
Surgery or
radiation are the most common and effective therapy to address benign tumors.