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Tumor, Benign

Related Terms

Benign Lesion
Benign Mass
Benign Neoplasm
Non-cancerous Tumor

Differential Diagnoses

Abscess
Foreign bodies
Hemangioma
Malignant tumors

Specialists

Dermatologist
Endocrinologist
Family Practice Physician
Gastroenterologist
General Surgeon
Gynecologist
Internal Medicine Physician
Neurologist
Pathologist
Urologist

Comorbid Conditions

Bleeding disorders
Cancer
Cardiopulmonary disease
Diabetes
Immune systems disorders
Parkinson's disease

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Factors Influencing Duration

Duration depends on the type and location of the tumor, the type of treatment required, the effectiveness of treatment, and the individual's response to treatment.

Medical Codes

	ICD-9-CM:
	210 -	Neoplasm, Lip, Oral Cavity, and Pharynx, Benign
	210.2 -	Benign Neoplasm of Major Salivary Glands
	211 -	Neoplasm, Other Parts of Digestive System, Benign
	211.3 -	Polyp of Colon
	212 -	Neoplasm, Respiratory and Intrathoracic Organs, Benign
	213 -	Benign Neoplasm of Bone and Articular Cartilage
	217 -	Neoplasm, Benign Breast Nipple
	220 -	Benign Neoplasm of Ovary
	223 -	Benign Neoplasm of Kidney and Other Urinary Organs
	223.3 -	Benign Neoplasm of Kidney and Other Urinary Organs; Bladder
	225 -	Benign Neoplasm of Brain and Other Parts of Nervous System
	225.0 -	Benign Neoplasm of Brain and Other Parts of Nervous System; Brain
	225.1 -	Benign Neoplasm of Brain and Other Parts of Nervous System; Cranial Nerves
	225.2 -	Benign Neoplasm of Brain and Other Parts of Nervous System; Cerebral Meninges; Meninges NOS; Meningioma, Cerebral
	226 -	Benign Neoplasm of Thyroid Glands
	227 -	Benign Neoplasm of Other Endocrine Glands and Related Structures
	227.4 -	Benign Neoplasm of Other Endocrine Glands and Related Structures; Pineal Gland; Pineal Body
	229 -	Neoplasm, Other and Unspecified Sites, Benign
	229.8 -	Benign Neoplasm of Other and Unspecified Sites; Other Specified Sites; Intrathoracic NOS; Thoracic NOS
	229.9 -	Neoplasm, Benign; Site Unspecified

A tumor or neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells in a specific area reproduce at an increased rate. The cells are derived from normal cells, but undergo changes that make them unresponsive to the normal controls that help limit growth. These cells continue to grow faster than the surrounding tissue, resulting in an abnormal growth or tumor. Benign tumors can develop in almost any body organ and are found in the kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, brain, uterus, testicles, and on the skin. They are usually small (less than 1 cm in diameter) and are firm. They are often discovered incidentally when another condition is being investigated. Many are found during exploratory surgery (laparotomy), or during an autopsy.

The two basic types of tumors, benign tumors and cancerous (malignant) tumors, are distinguished by their cell types, growth patterns, and effects on the body. Benign tumors grow as well-defined masses that push normal cells out of the way rather than invade surrounding tissue; they are generally localized (restricted to a limited area). However, the cells in malignant tumors tend to invade surrounding tissue, and also migrate to other locations in the body (metastasize). Unlike malignant tumor cells, the cells in benign tumors do not metastasize or invade the vascular or lymph systems, although they can grow in groups and interfere with normally functioning tissue if they grow large enough to press on nearby structures. Benign tumors may block a vessel, impinge on a nerve, or grow in a vital area of the brain where they may compress neurovascular structures, causing other clinical problems. (See also lipoma and meningioma).

A benign tumor may form a capsule of connective tissue around itself that separates the tumor from adjacent normal cells. Growth of a benign tumor is usually slow; a tumor may not increase in size for months or years. Symptoms may not appear until the tumor grows to the point at which it presses on or disturbs nerve tracts, blood vessels, or other organs. Compression of other structures can be particularly dangerous in confined spaces such as inside the skull, the heart, or the lungs. Rarely, benign tumors can become malignant.

Risk: It is unclear what causes the development of benign tumors. Many factors, such as environmental toxins, genetic influences, diet, emotional stress, trauma or local injury, and inflammation are thought to be possible causes. In some cases, particularly if hormone receptors are present on the multiplying cells, sex may be a factor in the development of certain types of benign tumors. Women are subject to the development of the hormone-related uterine tumors called fibroids; these occur more often in black women. Most benign tumors occur with equal frequency in both sexes and can develop in almost any region of the body.

Incidence and Prevalence: Benign tumors represent about 80% of all tumors found in the heart, and about 20% are malignant, a ratio that approximately parallels tumor occurrence in other body organ systems (Bakeen 647).

Source: Medical Disability Advisor

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