Are all growths or tumours cancerous?
No. A tumour can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). The word ‘tumour’ can be defined as a mass of new tissue caused by the abnormal growth of cells. A benign tumour has limited growth potential and grows slowly. Unlike a malignant tumour, it does not destroy normal cells while it is growing; does not spread to other parts of the body; does not produce serious side effects (unless it is growing in a confined area such as the brain) and usually has an orderly and well-organised growth pattern. About 80 percent of all tumours developing in the body are benign.
