When people hear the word ‘tumor’, they become really scared. They naturally assume the worst. Relax, it could be a benign tumor. A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue which could be benign or malignant. This abnormal growth could, however, be solid or fluid like. A tumor is different from cancer, although, a tumor could become cancerous. Tumors have different sizes, a mass is quite bigger than a nodule, nodules are small lumps. It is important to know that a cyst is different from a tumor. They are two different things, although, they look very much alike. A cyst is a sac of tissue filled with substances like air or fluid while tumors are solid masses of tissue. Cysts are soft to the touch and can form on any part of the body. It also can form or grow inside the body including on the bones and soft body tissues. A doctor may have to take a biopsy or use imaging technology to determine whether a person has a tumor or a cyst. Cysts are usually noncancerous but not in all cases. There are three types of tumor.
What are the Types of Tumor?
- Benign is something that is not harmful. So, a benign tumor is not harmful, it is merely a growth. It does not attack the body cells neither does it spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor may, however, be a threat to health if it presses against an important body tissue or cell. A benign tumor would not change form, it really is just a foreign growth that is caused by cells or tissue. They normally do not grow back after removal.
- Premalignant tumors are not cancerous, at least not yet. But they possess the properties of cancer. This kind of tumor should be monitored closely.
- Malignant tumors are cancerous, they most certainly can grow, spread and kill if not treated. If a liver cancer spreads to the lungs, the cancer cells now growing in the lungs are still liver cancer cells. They only have the ability to spread to other organs. These tumors have types, it would be smart to differentiate them, so we know what we are dealing with.
What are the Types of Benign Tumor?
- Adenomas is a benign tumor that starts in the epithelial tissue of glandular structures or gland-like structures. Epithelial tissues are the thin tissues that form the covering of all body surfaces, they serve as protection to the exposed body surfaces. The body sure knows how to take care of itself. Adenomas can become cancerous and they can affect the colon, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, breast, adrenal gland, and the kidneys. Here are types of adenomas:
- Parathyroid adenoma
- Eosinophilic adenoma
- Basophilic adenoma
- Bile duct adenoma
- Chromosome adenoma
- Fibroadenoma
- Hepatic adenoma
What`s More?
- Fibroids/ Fibromas are benign tumors that grow in the connective tissue of organs. It could grow on any organ. Scary, right? I know. Uterine fibroids are common and usually manifest symptoms like vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and involuntary leakage of urine. Some fibroids require surgery but fibroids can change and become cancerous. Cancerous fibroids are called fibrosarcomas. Here are types of fibroids:
- Angiofibroma
- Dermatofibroma
- Ossifying fibroma
- Nonossifying fibroma
Getting Deeper
- Hemangiomas are benign tumors that consist of extra blood cells. They are sometimes visible and are the most common growth in children. They usually do not cause problems as they gradually go away after some time. They can be removed with laser surgery.
- Lipomas are benign tumors that protrude from under the skin, it is often between the skin and the underlying muscle layer. They are called a growth of fatty tissue because they are fatty lumps. A lipoma can grow on any part of the body, parts such as upper back, shoulders, arms, armpits, buttocks, upper thighs. Anywhere at all, this can be embarrassing, good thing they are benign. Here are types of lipomas:
- Angiolipoma
- Myelolipoma
- Fibro lipoma
- Spindle cell lipoma
- Hibernoma
- Atypical lipoma
What are the Types of Premalignant Tumor?
Premalignant tumors must be closely monitored. Let’s remember it is not cancerous, yet. Here are some types of premalignant tumors:
- Actinic keratosis is a thick, rough and scaly patch-like growth on the skin caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The sun and indoor tanning beds have ultraviolet radiation. A fair-skinned person has a higher chance of getting actinic keratosis. These patches can be brown, tan, gray or pink in color. They, however, appear on parts like the hands, arms, face, scalp, and neck. If left untreated, it can progress into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), this is a type of skin cancer.
- Cervical dysplasia is a growth that develops from a change in the cells living in the cervix. It could easily become cervical cancer. You can detect cervical dysplasia by having a PAP smear. A PAP smear is a diagnostic procedure which screens for cervical cancer. Cervical dysplasia can be removed by removing the cone of tissue from the opening of the uterus which is cervix.
- Metaplasia of the lung is usually caused by smoking. We could reduce smoking, that would be healthier, right? Yes, it would. The growth is in the tubes that convey air from the windpipe into the lung/bronchi. It is the glandular cells in the bronchi that change and become squamous cells.
- Leukoplakia comes in form of thick, white patches that grow on the gums, the bottom of the mouth, inside the cheeks and sometimes on the tongue. Studies show that experts believe smoking or chewing tobacco is the main cause of leukoplakia. Mild leukoplakia usually fades away with time but the severe form of leukoplakia can easily become oral cancer, it must be treated immediately. Leukoplakia may manifest these symptoms:
- White or gray color
- Thick, hard, raised surface
- Red Spots (red spots may be a sign that it is cancerous)
Some women develop leukoplakia just outside their genitals, in the vulva area. Do see a doctor quickly, it could denigrate quickly.
What are the Types of Malignant Tumors?
There are different types of malignant tumors but here are the types of cancer cells they are made up of:
- Carcinomas can be seen in the pancreas, liver, lung, stomach, prostate, colon or breast.
- Sarcoma starts in the connective tissues like fault, nerves, bone, and cartilage.
- Germ cell tumors grow from the cells that give life, egg and sperm cells. They are commonly seen in the testicles or ovaries. They are, nonetheless, seen in the brain, chest or abdomen.
- Blastoma is more common in children than in adults. Here are some examples of blastoma:
- Nephroblastoma can be found in the kidneys.
- Medulloblastoma can be found in the brain.
- Retinoblastoma can be found in the eyes.
- Neuroblastoma can be found in the nervous system of children.
How do you Know the Type of Cancer?
A sample of the tumor must be taken and sent to a laboratory to determine whether or not it is benign or malignant. The sample taken is called a biopsy. Here are three different ways of conducting a biopsy:
- An excisional biopsy involves removing the entire lump, and if necessary, the suspicious area surgically.
- An incisional biopsy can also be called a core biopsy. A sample is removed from the tumor surgically.
- Needle aspiration biopsy involves fluid being removed with a needle, surgery is not necessary in this case.
Bottom Line
When you find a lump or an abnormal growth, try not fret. Information is power, go to a qualified doctor, if possible a specialist, so as to avoid misdiagnosis. A benign tumor would most likely pose no threat whatsoever to health, a malignant tumor, however, could pose a great threat to health and life. The earlier you get diagnosed, the better your chance of survival.
