Benign Tumours

A tumour refers to an unusual lump caused by an uncontrollable growth of cells. It can affect different parts of the body, including the skin, bones, and organs, and may require treatment depending on their severity. While some tumours are cancerous and malignant, necessitating urgent treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgical removal, others can be benign or harmless, just requiring monitoring over time. Still, many wonder whether benign tumours should be left alone at all or if they should and can be removed.

In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Yugandar Reddy, Consultant-Surgical Oncology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, helped answer the same.

What Are Benign Tumours?

Dr Reddy defined benign tumours as non-cancerous growths characterised by cells that do not invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body. He added that they tend to grow slowly and are often encapsulated, which means they’re mostly contained.

In contrast, malignant tumours are cancerous, displaying invasive behaviour and the ability to metastasize to distant organs, said the doctor, adding that a sudden increase in size over a short duration or a new onset of severe pain may indicate a malignant change in a benign tumour.

Some of the most common types of benign tumours include fibroids in the uterus and lipomas in the skin, according to the JAMA Oncology Patient Page, which also shares that certain benign tumours like colon polyps can turn into malignant tumours if not monitored closely or surgically removed when needed.

Should They Be Removed?

The decision to remove a benign tumour depends on several factors, said Dr Reddy. These include:

• Location of the tumour
• Size of the tumour
• Potential symptoms
• The risk of complications

In general, when it comes to benign tumours, they can often present with symptoms such as localised pain, pressure on surrounding tissues, or swelling, usually without any sign of danger. In certain cases, they may even be asymptomatic.

In response to whether they should be removed, Dr Reddy said, “Some benign tumours may be left alone, especially if they are small, asymptomatic, and not posing a threat to nearby organs or bodily functions. However, others may necessitate removal if they cause discomfort, exert pressure on surrounding structures, or if there's concern about their potential to transform into a malignant state.”

Monitoring And Management

Unlike malignant tumours, which require aggressive treatments, monitoring is a common approach for certain benign tumours. This involves regular check-ups and imaging studies to observe any changes in size or behaviour over time, said Dr Reddy.

“This is particularly applicable to slow-growing tumours that are not currently causing issues,” he added.

Surgical removal is usually required or may prove beneficial when there is a need to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and address concerns about the tumour's potential for malignancy.

Conclusion

Benign tumours pose no major risk to life unless they have the potential to become cancerous. Therefore, while they may cause symptoms based on their location and size, most benign tumours do not require urgent removal. In several cases, careful monitoring through regular check-ups may be enough to manage them. An intervention is only necessary when and if the tumour causes painful symptoms or poses a risk to the patient's health.

Reference Link

https://www.onlymyhealth.com/should-benign-tumours-be-removed-or-left-alone-1706349130