Benign Tumours

surgery

Benign tumours

A benign tumour is a non-life threatening tumour that grows slowly and rarely becomes malignant. It is often surrounded by a fibrous capsule, which makes it easy to remove by surgery. The capsule may be formed from healthy cells or the tumour itself. Although benign, such tumours can put pressure on surrounding tissues and organs, resulting in compression and atrophy. Examples of small benign tumours include freckles, warts, moles and lipomas (small fatty lumps under the skin).

Benign tumours have the following clinical features:

• Slow to grow
• Expansive rather than invasive
• Remains localised
• May have serious effect on neighbouring structures
• Often encapsulated
• May become malignant (depending on type and time)
• Prognosis good