Can a Benign Tumor Progress to Malignant?

Often heard, the tumor for years was silent, and turns malignant.

A benign tumor is generally considered harmless, does not spread to the neighboring tissue, and does not cause an urgency to treat.

What is The Tumor?

It is the outgrowth of cells, the overgrowing cells cause to formation of solid tissue masses. It is the abnormal cell growth.

Types of Tumor

• • Benign Tumor – it is a noncancerous growth of cells, does not spread, and is very slow-growing.
• • Malignant Tumor – it is a rapidly growing cancer of cells, which rapidly invades neighboring tissue, causing the cancer to spread.

Difference between Benign and Malignant Tumors

Difference Between a Tumor and a Cyst

A tumor is a solid mass of abnormal cells, while a cyst is an abnormal growth of cells filled with fluid.

Tumor Types with Potential for Malignant Changes:

Benign tumors can change to form malignant tumors –

• • Adenomas – it is the growth of tissue that lines the glands or the organs.
  Adenomas that have the potential to progress to cancers – colon adenoma, thyroid adenoma, and hepatic adenoma.
• • Oral Cancers – injury or irritation causing mouth ulcers or inflammation in the oral cavity. The white colored patches or sores occur in the mouth.
• • Cancer of the Moles – when a mole changes in color, size, texture, or starts to bleed. It can convert to skin cancer.
• • Pituitary Adenomas or Meningiomas – rarely convert to cancers, the tumors in the pituitary gland or the meninges.

The Risk of Transformation Depends Upon:

• • Family history – people having cancer in the family
• • Chronic inflammation caused by smoking, drug abuse
• • Genetic mutations caused due to exposure to radiation, stress, etc.
• • Environmental factors – repetitive exposure to toxic substances like metals, cadmium, and nickel.

Symptoms: Benign Tumor Converted to Malignant?

• • Rapid growth – spreading into neighboring tissues and organs.
• • Pain discomfort – benign tumors are usually painless, but abrupt pain and pressure on the neighboring organ may  indicate malignancy.
• • Increase in size and Changes in shape – redness, scaling, darkness of moles, and change in edges, hardened mass.
• • Bleeding – the bleeding of the internal tumors in stool or urine indicates malignancy or local spread.
• • Neurological dysfunctions in brain or spinal tumor – headache, confusion, dizziness, seizures, and vision changes.
• • Unexplained weight loss or weakness
• • Loss of body functions like breathing, digestion, and the legs indicates local invasion of the tumor.
• • Recurrence after removal

The Role of Advanced Medicines by Aprazer Healthcare

Aprazer Healthcare develops advanced anticancer treatments to prevent cancer progression and to treat advanced-stage cancers.

• • Chemotherapy Medicines – Carbokast, Nab-paclitaxel
• • Hormone Therapy – Acalakast, Indenza
• • Targeted Therapy – Cabozer, Imatinib

Conclusion

Understanding the progression, early symptoms, and regular monitoring prevents the risk of malignancy or severe consequences.
Benign tumors remain silent but can become harmful.