When the mechanisms of cell division and growth are disrupted in the human body, abnormal neoplasms appear, which can be malignant and benign. What is a tumor? This is a formation that is characterized by slow or absent development. The trigger mechanism of the pathological process is considered a genetic abnormality, which entails a violation of DNA.
But this diagnosis is far from always fatal. Timely therapy most often gives positive results and predictions for the future. Usually, the patient fully recovers, and relapses are quite rare. More dangerous for humans is a tumor that develops secretively in the body. Indeed, due to the lack of symptoms and abnormal changes, it is very difficult to identify the pathology, which is fraught with the transformation of a benign neoplasm into a malignant one. Delaying with the treatment of the disease is dangerous.
What is a benign tumor?
This is a disease that appears due to a violation of the mechanism of growth and cell division. Against the background of pathology, their structure changes, a neoplasm uncharacteristic for the normal state arises and the corresponding symptoms.
The main feature of a benign tumor is its slow growth. Often, the education retains its original size for several years, after which there is a complete recovery or its development into a malignant form.
Another feature of a benign tumor is the lack of exposure to the body and the occurrence of metastasis. In other words, the neoplasm is formed in one place, where it develops in the future. However, other organs do not suffer.
What is the difference between a benign tumor and a malignant one? The main difference lies in the appearance of metastases, which turn out to be even more dangerous than the neoplasm itself. They are the ones that rapidly destroy tissues and organs, leaving almost no chance of recovery. But with a benign form of pathology, the prognosis is most often positive and after a course of treatment, as well as subject to a healthy lifestyle, the disease most often recedes.
Knowing what a benign tumor is, you can determine it in time and begin treatment. It is possible to identify such a neoplasm according to several main signs.
- The tumor itself is mobile, it is not connected to nearby tissues.
- When touched and pressed, pain or discomfort is felt.
- If the tumor develops internally, the patient has insomnia, severe fatigue and malaise.
- External neoplasms on the mucous membranes and skin can sometimes bleed.
Often benign tumors do not manifest themselves in any way, which complicates the diagnosis. Identify pathology is obtained during a routine examination and detection of abnormal changes in the skin.
What are the tumors
One of the most common formations diagnosed in approximately 40% of cases is lipoma. This tumor is formed from adipose tissue, it can occur literally everywhere: on the hips, lower back, arms, stomach. It can appear in the brain, chest, internal organs, or between the muscles.
Not so often there is a tumor from the connective tissue - a cyst or fibroma. Most often it occurs on:
- arms and legs;
- the uterus;
- ovaries;
- bones;
- neck and face;
- forehead and crown;
- mammary glands;
- lungs;
- language.
Differences between malignant and benign tumors
Sometimes it is difficult to immediately distinguish such neoplasms, so you have to understand the clinical features of each of them.
The main difference between a benign tumor and a malignant form lies in its slow development. It is not able to relapse and lead to the occurrence of metastases, to grow into neighboring structures, to affect the state of the body. That is why benign tumors always give a relatively favorable prognosis. But with a malignant neoplasm, cells divide repeatedly and are absolutely uncontrolled, which almost always leads to the appearance of dangerous metastases.
Is it possible to transfer the tumor to another form
If the formation is not malignant, then most often with timely therapy you can permanently get rid of it. Its local effect is only the likelihood of signs of pushing or squeezing healthy tissues.
Can a benign tumor become malignant? A certain risk always remains. Such a transformation can occur after several years or even decades from the beginning of the development of the anomaly. The most dangerous from this point of view are polyps in the digestive tract, some varieties of nevi, adenomas and papillomas of the urinary tract.
Types of benign neoplasms
This pathology can cover any organ and structure in nerve, lymphoid and cartilage tissues. Depending on the severity of the course, the disease can have a mild, moderate and severe form.
Doctors also distinguish several main types of benign tumors:
- epithelial - lymphoma, osteoma, chondroma, liver adenoma, melanoma, rhabdomyoma;
- non-epithelial - fibroma, uterine fibroids, leiomyoma, hemangioma, angiomyolipoma;
- juxtaglomerular cell formation.
Causes of tumor development
In the human body, cells always go through the same steps: first, they grow, form, and die after 42 hours. They are replaced by identical cells, living the same time. But what is a benign tumor? This is a neoplasm that appears when the cell does not die naturally, but continues to grow due to the influence of external factors.
Scientists have proven that a benign tumor is the result of a DNA mutation. Various factors can lead to such a violation in the body:
- Frequent exposure to hazardous production, inhalation of toxic substances;
- smoking and taking drugs;
- alcohol abuse;
- strong ultraviolet radiation;
- hormonal disorders;
- ionizing radiation;
- deviations in the work of immunity;
- malnutrition;
- virus entry;
- fractures and serious injuries;
- non-observance of a full daily routine - lack of sleep, increased stress.
In the course of numerous studies, it was revealed that in fact, every person has a predisposition to the formation of tumors. Their development can be prevented only by observing a healthy lifestyle.
Symptoms of a benign tumor
Each pathology is characterized by its own signs. In the early stages, the symptoms of a benign tumor may be completely absent. And during the acute phase, general signs may be present, for example, a decrease in appetite, malaise, severe weakness. When the exacerbation goes away, the disease is asymptomatic again.
Depending on the type of tumor, its symptoms vary.
- Epithelioma. Appears on the head, neck, face, shoulders. It proceeds without pronounced symptoms.
- Thyroid tumor. And the patient has shortness of breath, drowsiness. On palpation, palpations are felt, but they are not painful.
- BPH. In men, urination disorders, loss of appetite, severe thirst, polyuria appear.
- Benign breast tumor. Fibroma is characterized by the appearance of a dense ball under the skin of the mammary gland.
You can see the signs of epithelial neoplasm in the third photo. A benign tumor can have a different structure and structure.
- A round or oval cut, resembling a mushroom hat and cauliflower.
- Polyps have a leg.
- A cyst is an elongated neoplasm filled with liquid contents.
How to identify a disease
Typically, the diagnosis of benign tumors is not difficult for doctors. The first step is to examine the patient, interview him and collect the necessary medical history. It is very important to find out if any of the family members have tumors.
To confirm the proposed diagnosis, the patient may be assigned studies:
- Ultrasound
- radiography;
- MRI
- CT
An examination of an ophthalmologist and an examination of the fundus play an important role in the diagnosis of brain pathology. This is the only way to distinguish a tumor from other diseases.
If pathological changes in the internal organs are suspected, endoscopic examinations are performed. Using a special device, examination and sampling of tissue samples for biopsy is performed.
Treatment
Benign neoplasms identified at the initial stage of development are usually easily treatable. Treatment depends on the type of tumor, the phase of its formation and the general condition of the patient. Most often, doctors prefer the tactics of expectation to make sure that the tumor does not grow.
Treatment for a benign tumor is required if any complications occur. For this, surgical intervention is used, which is aimed at removing the neoplasm. The operation takes place so that adjacent tissues and structures are not affected. More rarely, doctors prescribe patients radiation or drug treatment of a benign tumor.
Surgical intervention
Modern medicine offers people with this diagnosis many methods for removing benign tumors. The most effective among them is deservedly considered a complete excision of the transformed tissue. Thus, the further spread of pathological cells can be prevented. Usually, after such surgery, relapses do not occur. The removal of a benign tumor is carried out using a laser, and the tissues are excised by means of husking.
Another common technique for removing tumors is cryocoagulation. The principle of this procedure is simple: the area affected by the tumor is treated at low temperatures. Modern technology allows you to accurately determine the place of exposure, due to which only diseased tissues are treated, and healthy structures remain intact.
Cryocoagulation is most effective in the presence of neoplasms on such organs:
- shoulder joints;
- spine;
- pelvic bones;
- legs and arms;
- rib cage.
Previously, liquid nitrogen was used to carry out the procedure, which destroyed mutated cells. But today, an innovative device is used for this, which acts on the body more delicately. Using extremely low procedures has several advantages:
- minimal effect on the body;
- lack of contraindications;
- minimal damage;
- easy preparatory stage for the procedure;
- relapse prevention.
In general, cryotherapy can easily be used instead of chemotherapy and radiation, which negatively affect the body. After this procedure, patients do not experience side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and excessive hair loss.
Therapy Features
Many benign tumors appear due to abnormalities in the hormonal system. If the neoplasm is small and does not grow, then the patient may be prescribed replacement therapy. All this time, the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor and regularly undergo examinations.
Chemotherapy is prescribed only in cases where the tumor has a precancerous or cancerous state. It can also be used after removal of the growth by surgery. Chemotherapy involves medication on the affected area. In terms of effectiveness, it is second only to surgical intervention.
Chemotherapy is prescribed only when cancer cells are detected, if there are none in the body, then there is no need for such treatment either.
Therapeutic diet
Among other things, the effectiveness of the treatment of a benign tumor largely depends on the patient's lifestyle. If a person has such a pathology, he should completely abandon tobacco, alcohol, coffee and strong tea. In addition, a therapeutic diet is recommended for patients, which allows you to restore immunity and prevent further tumor development.
A person with a benign neoplasm should make a menu of low-fat, lean dishes, a lot of greens and vegetables. Products can be cooked, baked and steamed. From the diet, it is necessary to completely exclude stewed, smoked and fried foods.
And for a greater effect, it is desirable to include folk remedies in the daily menu:
- yogurt;
- carrot juice;
- onion;
- Tomatoes
- calendula decoction;
- tea with viburnum.
Prevention
To prevent the development of benign tumors should lead a healthy lifestyle and fully, properly eat. The body will begin to fight the disease on its own if you regularly sleep, rest and avoid stress. Timely pathology can be detected by systematic preventive examinations by narrow specialists.