benign tumor
Meaning of benign tumor: A benign tumor is a growth that does not invade nearby tissue or spread elsewhere, though its location can still make it clinically significant.
Definition of benign tumor
A benign tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that does not invade surrounding tissue and does not spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. It is generally distinguished from a malignant tumor, or cancer, which has the capacity to do both.
Benign tumors typically grow slowly and often have well defined borders, sometimes surrounded by a capsule of normal tissue that separates them from adjacent structures. Because they remain in one place, they are generally considered less dangerous than malignant tumors, though this is not the same as being entirely without consequence.
The location of a benign tumor can still make it clinically significant. A benign tumor growing within an enclosed space such as the skull can press on surrounding structures and cause serious symptoms even without spreading, which is why a diagnosis of benign does not automatically mean a growth requires no further attention.
Used in a sentence
Imaging findings were consistent with a benign tumor that was monitored with periodic follow up imaging.
Good to know
A benign tumor located within a confined space, such as inside the skull, can still cause serious problems through pressure on surrounding structures, even though it does not invade or spread the way a malignant tumor does.
Word origin
Where “benign tumor” comes from
Formed from Latin benignus, meaning kind or favorable, from bene, meaning well, and gignere, meaning to produce.