Benign Tumor
An Effect of DNA Mutations

A benign tumor is an effect of DNA mutations. It manifests itself in an abnormal growth in your tissues. But because it is benign, it is not deadly and can be removed surgically.

What does tumor mean? It means swelling or inflammation. How does it form? The tumor starts when cancerous cells bond with each other and the growth starts inside the DNA of your cells through genetic mutations.

What are the characteristics of abnormal but benign growths?

A tumor that is benign is . . .

1. non-cancerous

The tumor is caused by DNA mutations. The cells grow abnormally but not aggressively.

2. does not invade other tissues

This is the difference between a benign and a malignant tumor. A benign growth is contained in its original location.

3. can stop growing

A tumor that is benign doesn't usually cause any problem because it doesn't keep on growing. It has a limit that when reached will halt its growth. Common examples of benign tumors are moles, myomas or uterine fibroids. They are rarely life-threatening and so prevention of their growth is not a necessity. In fact, many of them do not need to be treated or removed.

When should benign tumors be surgically removed?

It is recommended that a tumor although benign be surgically removed if . . .

• the tumor causes symptoms like bleeding, to appear. Bleeding is likely in cases of myomas.

• the tumor poses a risk to your health because it obstructs other organs or stimulates your endocrines to overproduce hormones. Such DNA mutations are harmful because too much hormones increase risk for prostate, breast and colon cancers.

• they become a cosmetic concern like a mole on your face. Sometimes changes in moles should also be a concern because they may mean melanoma signs.

Once it is removed, a tumor that is benign usually doesn't grow back. Benign tumors also rarely or never develop into a full-blown cancer at all. However, some types of tumor such as teratomas can turn malignant.

Two other methods of removing a non-cancerous tumor in addition to surgery are through radiation and cryosurgery.

In cryosurgery, thin probes with liquid nitrogen are inserted into the benign growth to freeze it. Radiation and cryosurgery become an option when the benign mass can't be reached by the surgeon. A word of caution for the kind of therapy that emits ionizing radiation: It is a proven fact that radiation causes cancer.