Benign tumor

A benign tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to distant parts of the body. It may still cause harm by pressing on organs or disrupting their function.

Malignant tumor: A tumor whose cells invade surrounding tissue and can spread to distant sites. Malignant tumors cross the tissue and spread boundaries that define benign tumors.
Neoplasm: An abnormal new growth of cells that persists beyond the stimulus that initiated it. Benign tumors are one class of neoplasm, distinguished by noninvasive behavior.
Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissue for examination and diagnosis. Tissue sampling can establish whether a growth is benign and identify its type.
Uterine fibroid: A benign tumor of uterine smooth muscle, also called a leiomyoma. Fibroids are common benign tumors that can cause bleeding, pain, or pressure.
Cell differentiation: The process by which cells acquire specialized structures and functions. Benign tumors often retain more resemblance to the mature tissue from which they arise.
Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from an original tumor to distant parts of the body. Benign tumors do not metastasize, unlike cancers that spread this way.
Capsule (anatomy): A layer of connective tissue that surrounds some organs, structures, or tumors. Some benign tumors develop a capsule that helps separate them from surrounding tissue.
Histopathology: The microscopic examination of tissue to diagnose disease and characterize tissue changes. Microscopic features help distinguish benign growth from invasive malignancy.
Lipoma: A benign tumor composed of mature fat cells, usually located beneath the skin. Lipomas illustrate a soft-tissue benign tumor that is often painless and slow-growing.
Tumor grading: The assessment of how abnormal tumor cells and tissue appear under a microscope. Cell appearance helps characterize a tumor, though behavior and grade are not interchangeable.

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