Any neoplasms in the human body have a pathological nature. They arise due to various reasons and circumstances. There are a lot of varieties of them. The main classification that affects the further development of events is the benign or malignant tumor.
Definition
A tumor is a neoplasm that initially has a pathological nature, but it can be benign or malignant. This is the main difference that affects how to behave with her, whether it is worth resorting to measures to eliminate it, or whether it has a negative effect on processes in the body. Mesenchymal tumors are formed from mesenchymal tissues. These include such as:
- connective tissue, including bone, cartilage and fat;
- muscle tissue, also celiac and smooth muscle;
- nervous tissue - the central nervous system and peripheral);
- hemopoietic tissue.
What is the main difference between mesenchymal tumors and tumors of any other type? Mesenchymal are soft tissues, such soft tissue formations can occur in extra skeletal tissues. They can be found in various internal organs of the human body. The main feature of tumors is their effect on the functioning of the body. When such neoplasms occur, the normal operation of some organs and systems is disrupted. Neoplasms of this species are quite rare.
Classification of Mesenchymal Tumors
There are several classification features by which neoplasms are divided into some varieties. So, according to the effect on the functioning of the body as a system, they distinguish:
- benign - not having negative effects on the body;
- malignant - neoplasms that urgently need removal or treatment, since they adversely affect human health, the work of the entire system or individual organs is disrupted.
By the type of tissue involved in education, you can find:
- unicomponent - neoplasms consisting of only one type of tissue, for example, connective or nervous;
- multicomponent ones are tumors that consist of several types of tissues.
There is also another type of neoplasm that can be separately distinguished - this is a heterotopic tumor. Its main distinguishing feature is that it is formed in organs from tissues that are not characteristic of it.
Neoplasm prevalence
Most benign tumors are not removed, although regardless of the nature of the origin, the larger their size, the more dangerous it is for human health. In the modern world, neoplasms have become increasingly common and at the same time, benign neoplasms occur quite rarely. Thus, it is not always advisable to make a forecast in such situations.
The variety of neoplasms is so great that today in America, scientists have about 5700 types of mesenchymal formations. If all the malignant tumors that are known today are taken as 100%, then the mesenchymal ones are only 0.8% of all malignant neoplasms. Mortality in such neoplasms is 2% of the total mortality.
When can mesenchymal tumors occur?
The etiology of tumor-like formations is still unknown, their appearance is difficult to predict and predict the consequences. But at the same time, there are several main factors that, in some cases, presumably influenced. So, such neoplasms can occur:
- After radiation therapy.
- After thermal burns.
- After injuries of a one-sided type, in such situations, the tumor formed on the opposite side.
- Some environmental factors negatively affect human health, as a result of which benign or malignant tumors can occur.
- There are cases when the neoplasms were the result of disturbances in the body's defenses, when the immune system is weakened, some types of viruses can cause unpredictable consequences.
- A genetic predisposition to the disease may occur.
It is impossible to unambiguously determine the reason why mesenchymal tumors appeared, the pathological anatomy of which demonstrates that they are not always dangerous, we can only assume that it became a prerequisite for their development. In addition, the above factors will not necessarily lead to such consequences.
Localization of neoplasms
Any tumor is a pathology, but it is important to understand that not every one of them carries a danger to human health and life. In any case, its development is worth observing, not self-medicating. Sometimes a tumor can disappear without affecting it. Which are most common? According to the localization area, you can conditionally use this separation:
- A little less than half of all cases are tumors of the lower extremities, the most common cases are neoplasms that occur in the thigh, they account for about 40% of all cases.
- Tumors that are localized in the trunk and retroperitoneal space occupy the second place in prevalence; they occupy 30% of the total number of cases.
- Neoplasms in the upper extremities, they account for approximately 20% of all sarcomas.
- There are also malignant mesenchymal tumors (pathological anatomy confirms this ), which are localized in the neck and head, of the total number of known cases they occupy approximately 10%.
Signs
Another important sign of a tumor is its shape. It also depends on the outcome and behavior of the neoplasm. What forms can a sarcoma have ? This is :
- Fusiform shape.
- Round is the most common.
- Polygonal.
In determining the features of mesenchymal tumors and their type, the form is important, but it does not play a decisive role. In addition, it is also important to understand the structure of the pathological neoplasm. What can be the structure of the tumor? Distinguish:
- Lymphocyte-like structure.
- Rod-shaped.
- Epithelioid cell.
These parameters affect the diagnosis, however, are insufficient and some types of tests are required.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnostic measures will help determine exactly what type of tumor is involved. These include:
- Molecular genetic analysis.
- Ultrastructural analysis.
- Cytogenetic.
- Immunohistochemical diagnostic data.
After identifying the tumor and undergoing mandatory diagnostic measures, we can talk about the stage of development of the neoplasm, which in the end will help to predict further actions and approximate behavior of the sarcoma.
Stages of the development of pathology
Depending on the size of the tumor, you can talk about at what stage of development the pathology is, and depending on this, you can make an approximate prognosis and prescribe or not prescribe treatment. Consider the main stages of the development of pathological education:
- Stage T1, in which the tumor size does not exceed 5 cm in diameter, it may be smaller.
- Stage T2 is a period in which the size of the neoplasm in diameter exceeds 5 cm, but an important feature of the pathology is that neither the bones, nor the vessels, nor the nerves are damaged, that is, are not affected.
- Stage T3 is the stage of pathology in which, regardless of the size of the bone, the nerves or blood vessels are already affected or are involved in the pathological process.
- If metastases are localized in the lymph nodes, then they are designated N1.
- If we are talking about metastases that are distant, then they are designated as M1.
Depending on the type of pathological formation and the stage of its development, a qualified doctor can make a forecast based on which treatment or observation is prescribed.
What benign tumors can occur?
As mentioned above, benign mesenchymal tumors are pathological neoplasms that do not adversely affect a person’s health and clearly do not pose a threat to their life. But at the same time, changes in the work of the body as a system are observed. Mesenchymal tumors whose benign anatomy is benign are:
- Fibroma - neoplasms of the connective tissue. They are usually small in size and can occur anywhere. The most common are ovarian fibromas, and neurofibromas that envelop the nerve trunk are also common. What kind do they have? These tumors are in the form of dense capsules of small size, in the section they will have a grayish-white color.
- Dermatofibroma is a neoplasm that has the form of a small nodule, most often it can be found on the lower extremities. There are several varieties of this pathology, they differ in the predominance of lipids or hemosiderin in the cells. The section is yellow or brown.
- Leiomyoma is a benign tumor that develops from perivascular elements. It occurs quite often, localized in the bladder, on the skin, in the uterus, in the genitals, in the gastrointestinal tract and so on. As for the form, it is usually a round tumor, but often it is multiple. Its sizes vary in a fairly wide range, it can be a small tumor or a huge one. Depending on the stage of the pathology, it may not carry a danger, but in some situations, foci of necrosis or calcification may occur.
- Hibernoma - a tumor that is very rare, is a neoplasm of the type of brown fat. In appearance, it resembles a nodule, which consists of several parts, shares. These lobes may have a granular or foamy structure.
- Rhabdomyoma is a tumor that consists of striated muscle cells. Often it is a consequence of impaired development of the brain or muscle tissue, and other malformations may occur.
- Abrikosov's tumor is a small formation that looks like a capsule. Often this can be found in the tongue, in the esophagus or on the skin.
- Hemangioma is a benign formation that can often be found in newborn babies. There are several varieties of this pathology, the cause of which is not reliably determined. It is suggested that this may be a malformation of the embryonic development or a true benign tumor.
The list of benign tumors can be continued for a long time, they differ in many signs, including the location, size, nature and speed of development.
Malignant Mesenchymal Tumors
They pose an immediate threat to life and health. Malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin, the pathology of which is similar to benign formations, are called sarcomas. There are several types of pathological formations that are white in cross section. Mesenchymal tumors with foci of necrosis are the most dangerous neoplasms that were not detected in a timely manner. The most common types of sarcomas are:
- Fibrosarcoma is a tumor that is very difficult to determine because it is very similar to fibroma, a benign tumor. This is a capsule, which in structure is a soft formation. In the context, it has a red color resembling fish meat. They can be fast or slow growing. The forecast in this case is not very comforting. Because time plays a crucial role here. If at the time of diagnosis, metostases are detected, then mortality in such cases is from 20 to 40%. Moreover, this occurs within five years after the development of the disease. In half the cases, relapses occur.
- Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor that grows at a slow pace, but at the same time its size can reach enormous parameters. Several varieties of such neoplasms are known, they develop mainly on the buttocks, in the retroperitoneal cavity, on the hips.
- Leiomyosarcoma is the same leiomyoma, only of a malignant nature. It develops from smooth muscle tissue.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma is a tumor that forms from the transverse cavity muscles. The structure of the tumor is polymorphic. It is difficult to determine it by external signs; after diagnostic measures, the tumor can be verified.
- Angiosarcoma is a malignant tumor that affects people regardless of gender, age or lifestyle. It can be localized anywhere. Of particular interest is the liver tumor, which can occur as a result of certain carcinogens. It is important to understand that years can elapse between the time of exposure to a carcinogen and the occurrence of a neoplasm. The forecast is rather disappointing. After diagnosis, the patient can live from several weeks to several years.
Tumors in the modern world have become quite frequent pathological formations. They are localized in various places, both on the surface of the body and inside the body. Be sure to adhere to the doctor's recommendations when identifying a pathology, since mortality in such situations is already quite high.