Difference Between Benign and Malignant Tumors

Studying the difference between benign and malignant tumors is very important in the field of biology and medical science. Furthermore, many types of benign tumors are harmless and do not prove fatal. In contrast, malignant tumors can be dangerous and life-threatening.

Definition of Benign Tumors

Benign tumors refer to non-cancerous growths in the body. The main difference between benign and malignant tumors is that the former are usually harmless while the latter are usually harmful. In contrast to cancerous tumors, benign tumors do not spread from origin to other parts of the body.

Definition of Malignant Tumors

Malignant tumors refer to cancerous growths in the body. In contrast to benign tumors, these tumors can spread to other parts of the body from the point of origin. Furthermore, a cell of a malignant tumor can destroy adjacent tissue.

Difference between Benign and Malignant Tumors

Important difference between benign and malignant tumors

Parameter	Benign Tumors	Malignant Tumors
Spread	Cells of benign tumor do not spread to other parts or organs of the body from the origin	Cells of malignant tumor can spread to other organs or parts of the body
Rate of growth	Most benign tumors have a slow growth rate	Malignant tumors usually have a fairly rapid growth rate
Invasion of other body parts	They do not invade nearby or adjacent tissue	They often invade the basal membrane that surrounds an adjacent or nearby healthy tissue
Ability to metastasize	These tumors do not metastasize or spread to other parts or tissues of the body	Malignant tumors can spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Furthermore, they may also spread by extending ‘fingers’ into the adjacent tissue
Chromosomes and DNA	The shape, chromosomes, and DNA of cells have a normal appearance when examined under a pathologist’s microscope	Cells of the malignant tumors have abnormal chromosomes and DNA. Moreover, their characterization is large and dark nuclei that may have an abnormal shape
Boundaries	Benign tumors tend to have clear boundaries	These tumors may recur after their removal. Furthermore, they may also recur in regions other than the original site
Secretion of substances	These tumors do not secrete hormones and other substances. Furthermore, a notable exception is pheochromocytomas	Malignant tumors can secrete certain substances that result in weight loss and fatigue
Treatment	They mostly don’t require treatment because they are usually harmless and non-threatening	They may require treatment and even aggressive treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and other medications

More Details about Benign Tumors

Further exploring the benign vs malignant tumor characteristics and details make the topic clearer. Benign tumors certainly do not metastasize to other tissues of the body.

When it comes to benign tumors, some people tend to use the term benign cancer. However, this is an incorrect term since benign tumors are non-cancerous in nature. This also brings out the difference between benign and malignant tumors.

Benign tumors can form anywhere in the body. Sometime a person may discover a lump or mass in the body and may become fearful of thinking it to be cancer. However, it may only be a benign tumor formed on the body.

More Details About Malignant Tumors

A malignant tumor is cancerous in nature and is innately dangerous because the division of its cells can take place uncontrollably resulting in the production of daughter cells that are virtually immortal. Furthermore, these tumors can penetrate adjacent tissue and destroy it. Moreover, these tumors can also metastasize to distant parts of the body.

In almost all cases, malignant tumors require treatment to avoid their spread. In case the detection of a malignant tumor is early, then the treatment will most likely be surgery with a possibility of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Furthermore, the treatment is likely to be systematic in case cancer has spread using approaches like immunotherapy or chemotherapy.

FAQs About Benign and Malignant Tumors

Question 1: Give any one difference between benign and malignant tumors?

Answer 1: One difference between benign and malignant tumors can be with regards to the rate of growth. Furthermore, the rate of growth of benign tumors is slow. In contrast, the rate of growth of malignant tumors is fairly rapid.

Question 2: Are Benign tumors cancerous in nature?

Answer 2: Benign tumors are not cancerous in nature. Furthermore, they do not spread to other tissues of the body from their origin point.