Cancer - Types of Tumors
Human Health and Disease
Benign: Remain confined to their original location, cause little damage; Malignant: Proliferating mass of neoplastic cells that starve normal cells; exhibit Metastasis (spread to distant sites).
Benign Tumor | Malignant Tumor |
Slow-growing, non-cancerous mass of cells. | Rapidly growing, cancerous mass of cells. |
Remains localized at the site of origin. | Invades nearby tissues and spreads to other parts of the body. |
Usually encapsulated by a connective tissue sheath. | Not encapsulated and infiltrates surrounding tissues. |
Does not show metastasis (no spread through blood or lymph). | Shows metastasis through blood and lymphatic vessels. |
Cells are well-differentiated and resemble normal cells. | Cells are poorly differentiated (anaplastic) and appear abnormal. |
Compresses adjacent tissues without destroying them. | Destroys and damages surrounding tissues. |
Rarely recurs after surgical removal. | Frequently recurs after treatment or removal. |
Usually not life-threatening. | Often life-threatening if not treated. |