{"id":8763,"date":"2025-03-18T08:23:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T13:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mickeylieberman.com\/cancer\/?p=8763"},"modified":"2025-02-23T19:58:06","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T01:58:06","slug":"what-is-a-tumor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mickeylieberman.com\/cancer\/what-is-a-tumor\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Tumor?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tumor – A tumor is a mass of tissue that’s formed by an accumulation of abnormal cells.<\/span><\/p>\n

Normally, the cells in your body age, die, and are replaced by new cells. With cancer and other tumors, something disrupts this cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two basic types of tumors.<\/span><\/p>\n

One type of tumor is non-cancerous and referred to as benign. The other type is cancerous and referred to as malignant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally speaking, a tumor is caused by body tissues that grow to form an abnormal mass.<\/span><\/p>\n

This abnormal growth is initiated by abnormally regulated or unbalanced cell division.<\/span><\/p>\n

When tumors are benign, they typically grow at a slow rate. Usually, benign growths are harmless and do not spread to other parts of the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tumor cells grow, even though the body does not need them, and unlike normal old cells, they don’t die.<\/span><\/p>\n

As this process goes on, the tumor continues to grow as more and more cells are added to the mass.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the characteristics of the 2 Types of Tumors?<\/span><\/p>\n

Benign (noncancerous tumors)<\/span><\/p>\n

Have well-defined boundaries<\/span>
\nNormally grow at a relatively slow pace<\/span>
\nUsually have limited growth<\/span><\/p>\n

Benign varieties can interfere with the ability of healthy tissues to grow and thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n

They may grow large enough to apply pressure to vital body organs, resulting in serious illness or death.<\/span><\/p>\n

When benign growths become too large, they may require surgical removal for cosmetic purposes or to preserve surrounding tissues. Once removed, they usually don\u2019t return.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malignant (cancerous tumors)<\/span><\/p>\n

Are faster growing and can be fatal<\/span>
\nHave irregular boundaries<\/span>
\nUsually invade the surrounding tissue<\/span><\/p>\n

When a tumor metastasizes, the primary tumor sheds cells that travel through the bloodstream and lymphatic system starting new tumor growth at other locations in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malignant tumors grow at a faster rate than the benign variety and can cause serious health problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

They may spread to other body tissues and destroy them. These cancerous growths often cause death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment of malignant tumors may include surgical removal, radiation, or chemotherapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Often, there is a direct correlation between the placement of the malignant growth and the treatment chosen.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, a tumor confined to a relatively small local area may be removed surgically, while growths that are more spread out may require radiation treatment or chemotherapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation is used. Some malignant cancers cannot be cured completely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Often, a carcinoma that fits this description can still be treated, however, extending the life of the patient.<\/span><\/p>\n