What are Different Types of Tumors?
There are two basic types of tumors. One type of tumor is non-cancerous and referred to as benign. The other type is cancerous and referred to as malignant. Generally speaking, a tumor is caused by body tissues that grow to form an abnormal mass. This abnormal growth is initiated by abnormally regulated or unbalanced cell division. When tumors are benign, they typically grow at a slow rate. Usually, benign tumors are harmless and do not spread to other parts of the body. Though benign tumors are usually innocuous, their growth can interfere with the ability of healthy tissues to grow and thrive. In fact, they may grow large enough to apply pressure to vital body organs, resulting in serious illness or death. When benign tumors become too large, they may require surgical removal for cosmetic purposes or to preserve surrounding tissues. Once removed, benign tumors usually don’t return.
