A benign tumor is a pathological neoplasm with a slowed pace of development. At the same time, timely therapy gives a positive prognosis: in most situations, patients completely get rid of the disease, and there are almost no relapses. Hazards to health are tumors that secretly develop in the body. Against the background of the absence of symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose the disease, which threatens with degeneration into a malignant formation. We will discuss further what are the causes of the appearance of benign tumors, what are the stages of their development and how the treatment is carried out.
Causes of occurrence
In the human body, each cell follows the same path: it grows, then develops, after which it dies after forty-two hours. Replaces a new one that lives a similar period. In the event that, as a result of some reason, the cell does not die, but continues to grow, a tumor will arise. Benign and malignant tumors are very different.
Science has proven that benign formations are the result of mutations in human DNA, which are caused by the following factors:
- Human activities in hazardous production, along with regular inhalation of hazardous poisons or vapors.
- Bad habits in the form of smoking, drug use and substance abuse.
- Alcohol intake.
- The effect of ionizing radiation.
- The body receives frequent exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
- The appearance of hormonal failure.
- The occurrence of violations in the work of immunity.
- Penetration of various viruses into the body.
- Getting injuries and fractures.
- Unhealthy diet, eating harmful foods.
- Lack of a balanced regime of the day, for example, frequent lack of sleep, night work and the like.
Predisposition
According to studies, it is found that absolutely everyone has a predisposition to the appearance of benign tumors. And to prevent the development of such can only be leading an active and healthy lifestyle. Adverse effects on cells have frequent nervous stresses. Next, we find out through what stages a benign education passes in the process of its development.
Tumor Growth Stages
In total, the following three stages of development of benign tumors are distinguished:
- Stage of initiation. At this stage, it is almost impossible to detect a mutated gene. Initiation is associated with a change in the DNA cell under the influence of adverse factors.
- Promotion stage. At this stage, the mutated cell begins its active reproduction. The stage of promotion can last for several years, almost without manifesting itself.
- Stage of progression. In the third stage of tumor growth, there is a rapid increase in the number of mutation cells that form the tumor. A benign formation at this stage is the cause of deterioration of well-being, there are violations in the functionality of the body, spots appear on the skin. This greatly facilitates the diagnostic process. It is not difficult to detect a tumor at this stage.
A period of time
The period during which a benign tumor develops can last from a couple of months to tens of years. Often, this disease is diagnosed only after death during an autopsy. In this case, the tumor does not always serve as the main cause of death. Can a benign tumor grow into cancer? Let's figure it out.
Rebirth
The stage of progression is dangerous primarily because exposure to unfavorable factors, along with the lack of treatment, leads to the rapid degeneration of the tumor. The process of gene mutation continues, dangerous cells multiply even more actively. They begin to spread throughout the body and settle in the organs. This process is called metastasis. At this stage, doctors already diagnose a malignant neoplasm, which is considered a threat to life.
Benign tumors are divided into certain types. Next, we find out which types in medicine are divided into such neoplasms.
Kinds
A benign tumor can grow in absolutely any tissue of the human body. There are several types of such neoplasms:
- Fibroma is a tumor that consists of fibrous connective tissue. Fibromas occur most often on the genitals in women. At the same time, patients have menstrual irregularities, infertility and severe pain during intercourse.
- Lipoma is also called a fat tumor. Lipomas often form in women during menopause, such a tumor can reach very large sizes.
- Chondroma consists mainly of cartilage tissue. The cause of its development are injuries or tissue damage. Chondroma is manifested not only in a single copy, but also in the plural. Usually affects the limbs.
- Doctors call the neurofibromatosis otherwise Recklinghausen’s disease. Pathology is characterized by the formation of fibroids, and, in addition, age spots. In this case, inflammation of the nerves can join.
- An osteoma is a benign formation that consists of bone tissue. It has clear boundaries and rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor. This species is a congenital pathology.
- Myoma acts as a single or multiple formation, which has a dense base. This disease is formed in muscle tissue and affects mainly the reproductive system in women. The cause is hormonal disorder along with abortion and obesity. Symptoms of a benign tumor in the initial stages may be completely absent.
- By angioma is understood a tumor developing from blood vessels. This disease is congenital, located mainly on the cheeks, or oral mucosa.
- Lymphangioma consists of lymphatic vessels. It is formed during embryonic development, continuing to grow in early childhood. Often, lymphangioma stops in its development and does not pose a threat to life.
- Neurinoma, as a rule, develops on the peripheral nerves, and, in addition, in the spinal cord. Less common neuroma on the cranial nerves. This tumor looks like small nodes of various sizes.
- A neuroma can form on different elements of the nervous system. Amputation along with nerve damage is often the cause of this disease. Congenital neuromas can also occur.
What is a benign brain tumor? About it further.
What other types of tumors are allocated in medicine?
Among other things, there are the following types of benign neoplasms:
- Ganglioneuroma usually develops in the abdominal cavity. This is most often a dense formation with large sizes. Such a disease begins to form in the womb. The causes of its occurrence are disturbances in the development of the nervous system along with the impact of adverse factors during gestation.
- Paraganglioma consists of chromaffin cells. This disease can develop in any organs. The tumor is congenital and begins to manifest itself at an early age. Such a disease can be dangerous due to the possibility of metastasis.
- Papillomas are neoplasms in the form of small nipples, in the center of which there is a blood vessel. This type is the most common type of benign tumor, it is easy to remove. After surgery, as a rule, relapses do not occur. Papilloma appears as a result of the effect of the virus on the body. Very often, this disease attacks the genitals. In addition, papillomas include warts, which in most cases are safe and do not require any treatment. Exceptions are usually those formations that begin to bleed or bring pain. Also a danger to humans is usually represented by increasing and color-changing formations.
- Adenoma has one characteristic feature: it can repeat the shape of the organ on which it is formed. Such a tumor usually consists of glands and extremely rarely degenerates into a malignant type. Often, such a tumor affects the prostate in men over the age of forty-five. This disease can be manifested by painful urination, decreased sexual activity, infertility, and early ejaculation. Adenoma, as such, is not life threatening, but can significantly impair its quality and lead to mental disorders.
- What is a benign brain tumor? A cyst is an education that does not have clear boundaries. It consists of a cavity filled with liquid. A cyst can develop rapidly, which can be a threat. In cases of rupture of this tumor, there is a risk of blood poisoning. Cysts usually appear on the genitals, in bone tissue, or in the area of the brain.
There are benign brain tumors that have an innate nature. These include:
- craniopharyngiomaschordoma;
- germin;
- teratoma;
- dermoid cyst;
- angioma.
Meningioma is a benign neoplasm that is characterized by a secondary manifestation even after removal. Symptoms, treatment, as well as the consequences of the appearance of this type of tumor depend on the size, size of the tumor, the speed of growth and the location. Too large sizes of benign formations of the brain impair its intellectual functions.
Benign lung tumors are formed from highly differentiated cells, which are similar to healthy ones in structure and function. They have relatively slow growth, they do not infiltrate and do not destroy tissues, do not form metastases. Atrophy of the tissue located around the tumor occurs, resulting in the formation of a connective tissue capsule (pseudocapsule) surrounding the neoplasm. Tumors of the lung are prone to malignancy.
Benign breast tumors
They are formed due to pathological proliferation of tissues. Benign seals do not fuse with the skin, unlike malignant ones.
More often than not, benign breast tumors occur in women who have had many abortions, have not given birth to children, and have not breast-fed at the right time. Age is also a factor determining the appearance of a tumor in one form or another.
So, lipomas and mastopathy are diagnosed in women aged 35-50 years, after 35 years - cysts, in 20-35 years old - fibroadenomas. Intraductal papilloma does not depend on age.
In most cases, removal of benign neoplasms is not required. It is necessary to regularly undergo examinations and examinations, during which you can verify the absence of activity of a benign tumor of the gland.
Treatment
Tumors that were diagnosed at an early stage of development are very treatable. There are several different methods that can be used to identify a disease. Such formations can be seen using ultrasound or palpation. In order to make the correct diagnosis, blood and pieces of tissue that are taken during a biopsy or during laparoscopy are examined.
What does therapy depend on?
Treatment of a benign tumor directly depends on its type and condition of the patient. But it is important to note that it is impossible to leave this disease without attention of doctors. Even small neoplasms can lead to sad consequences or prolonged and costly treatment.
Modern medicine offers several effective methods of treating such tumors, among which removal is in the first place. The operation helps prevent the further development of the disease and eliminates the accumulation of mutated cells. After the removal procedure, relapses, as a rule, do not occur, and absolute recovery sets in. In extremely rare situations, repeated surgery is required in the case of the growth of mutated cells.
Benign and malignant tumors have one important difference - the first is not life threatening.
Tumor removal
Removal of benign neoplasms is carried out using various surgical instruments or through a special laser. Before surgery, the site of removal of the tumor is treated with disinfectants, and the patient is injected into general anesthesia. Most often, removal occurs through an incision in the tissue and husking of the neoplasm. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the seam and prevents infection.
Cryocoagulation
Cryocoagulation is referred to a more modern method of treating a benign tumor. It is carried out in the case of the formation of tumors on the soft tissues. This method was first tried in Israel, after which it became very widespread around the world. Cryocoagulation offers a chance of recovery for patients with bone cancer. Treatment allows you to remove the neoplasm without any consequences for the tissue and skeleton.
Substitution therapy
Many formations of a benign nature arise due to a malfunction of the hormonal system. In the event that the tumor is small and does not show signs of further development, replacement therapy is prescribed for the patient. In this case, the patient is under the close supervision of specialists and undergoes regular examinations.