Tumors are made up of extra cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as your body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when your body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can divide without stopping and may form tumor. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Benign Tumors Also called: Benign neoplasms, Noncancerous tumors. See, Play and Learn Images. Some of the most common…. The first oncology appointment is a chance for the patient and the oncologist to get to know each other. Understanding what to expect can help patients who are nervous or anxious to feel better before the visit and ensure they are able to come fully prepared.
Plasma cells not to be confused with liquid blood plasma are a type of white blood cell that secretes antibodies. A surgical oncologist can perform the most common form of cancer treatment — surgery. According to the American Cancer Society, the process of excising cancerous tissues is the oldest and most common form of cancer treatment.
It is a cancer treatment that is still effective in treating various types of cancers. If you want to…. Email Required. Phone Number Required. Recent Posts. Ask An Oncologist: What You Should Know About Anemia Anemia is a health issue that is caused by not having enough healthy red blood cells to deliver oxygen to tissues in the body.
What To Expect At Your First Oncology Appointment The first oncology appointment is a chance for the patient and the oncologist to get to know each other. Next Post ». Book Today! Comments or Suggestions? Facebook Twitter Pinterest Video Yelp. Book Your Appointment Today! Request Appointment. Visit the Home Page. In many cases, benign tumors will be monitored carefully. Noncancerous moles or colon polyps, for example, can turn into cancer at a later time.
Some types of internal benign tumors may cause other problems. Uterine fibroids can cause pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding , and some internal tumors may restrict a blood vessel or cause pain by pressing on a nerve.
Anyone can develop a benign tumor, including children, though adults are more likely to develop them with increasing age. For example, if you have a benign brain tumor, you may experience headaches , vision trouble , and fuzzy memory.
If the tumor is close to the skin or in an area of soft tissue such as the abdomen, the mass may be felt by touch. They can be removed if they are.
Lipomas, for example, may be large enough to detect, but are generally soft, movable, and painless. Some skin discoloration may be evident in the case of benign tumors that appear on the skin, such as nevi. Anything that looks abnormal should be evaluated by a doctor. Doctors use a variety of techniques to diagnose benign tumors. The key in diagnosis is determining if a tumor is benign or malignant.
Only laboratory tests can determine this with certainty. Your doctor may begin by performing a physical examination and collecting your medical history. Benign tumors often have a visual border 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.
Skin tumors are easy to remove and only require a local anesthetic, while colon polyps would require a colonoscopy , for example, and a stomach tumor may require an endoscopy. Not all benign tumors need treatment. In these cases, treatment could be riskier than letting the tumor be.
Some tumors will never need treatment. If your doctor decides to pursue treatment, the specific treatment will depend on the location of the tumor. Other tumors that affect organs, nerves, or blood vessels are commonly removed with surgery to prevent further problems. Tumor surgery is often done using endoscopic techniques, meaning the instruments are contained in tube-like devices. This technique requires smaller surgical incisions, if any at all, and less healing time.
Procedures like upper endoscopies and colonoscopies require almost no recovery time, though patients need someone to take 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 like changing the bandage and keeping it covered.
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