What is Tumor?
A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).
Alternative names
Mass; Neoplasm
Causes
In general, tumors appear to occur when there is a problem with the dividing of cells in the body. Typically, the division of cells in the body is strictly controlled. New cells are created to replace older ones or to perform new functions. Cells that are damaged or no longer needed die to make room for healthy replacements. If the balance of cell division and death is disturbed, a tumor may form. Problems with the body's immune system can lead to tumors. Tobacco causes more deaths from ca...
What is Tumor?
A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).
Alternative names
Mass; Neoplasm
Causes
In general, tumors appear to occur when there is a problem with the dividing of cells in the body. Typically, the division of cells in the body is strictly controlled. New cells are created to replace older ones or to perform new functions. Cells that are damaged or no longer needed die to make room for healthy replacements.
If the balance of cell division and death is disturbed, a tumor may form.
Problems with the body's immune system can lead to tumors. Tobacco causes more deaths from cancer than any other environmental substance. Other causes include:
- Benzene and other chemicals and toxins
- Drinking excess alcohol
- Excessive sunlight exposure
- Genetic problems
- Inactivity (sedentary lifestyle)
- Obesity
- Radiation
Certain viruses can play a role in the development of tumors, such as cervical cancer (human papillomavirus) and hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatitis B virus).
Some tumors are more common in one gender than the other. Some are more common among children or the elderly. Others vary with diet, environment, and your family history.
Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung tumors may cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, while tumors of the colon can cause weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and blood in the stool.
Some tumors produce no symptoms, but symptoms that may occur with tumors include:
Exams and Tests
Like the symptoms, the signs of tumors vary based on their site and type.
When a tumor is found, a biopsy is performed to determine if the tumor is non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be a simple procedure or a serious operation.
Most patients with tumors undergo CT scans or MRI to determine the exact location of the tumor and how far it has spread. More recently, positron emission tomography (PET) scans have been used to find certain tumor types.
Other tests include:
Treatments
Treatment also varies based on the type of tumor, whether it is benign or malignant, and its location. If the tumor is benign (meaning it has no potential to spread) and is located in a "safe" area where it will not cause symptoms or affect the function of the organ, sometimes no treatment is needed.
Sometimes benign tumors may be removed for cosmetic reasons, however. Benign tumors of the brain may be removed because of their location or harmful effect on the surrounding normal brain tissue.
If a tumor is malignant, treatments include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- A combination of these methods
If the cancer is in one location, the goal of treatment is usually to remove the tumor with surgery. If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed. If all of the cancer cannot be removed with surgery, the options for treatment include radiation and chemotherapy, or both. Some patients require a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
However, lymphoma is rarely treated with surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are most often used for treating lymphoma.
Where to get support
The diagnosis of cancer often causes a lot of anxiety and can affect a patient's entire life. There are many resources for cancer patients (see cancer resources).
Prognosis
The outlook varies widely among different types of tumors. If the tumor is benign, the outlook is generally very good. However, there are some instances where a benign tumor can cause significant problems, for instance, in the brain.
If the tumor is malignant, the outcome depends on the stage of the tumor at diagnosis. Some cancers can be cured. Some that are not curable can still be treated and patients can live for many years with the cancer. Still other tumors are quickly life-threatening.
Possible Complications
Complications can occur if a tumor is located in a region of the body where it affects the function of the normal organ. If the tumor is malignant, it can also cause complications if it spreads (metastasizes).
When to contact a medical professional
Call your health care provider if you notice any suspicious lumps or bumps on your body, or if you notice a new or changing mole on your skin.
Prevention
You can reduce the risk of cancerous (malignant) tumors by:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Limiting alcohol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Minimizing exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals
- Not smoking or chewing tobacco
- Reducing sun exposure if you burn easily
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Review Date: .8/3/2008
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.8/3/2008
Posted On March 5, 2009 05:36:25 PM
Posted On April 8, 2009 01:11:43 PM
Posted On May 16, 2009 05:16:36 PM
Posted On November 8, 2009 07:19:33 PM
Posted On January 9, 2008 12:39:30 PM
Posted On January 9, 2008 12:45:15 PM
Posted On June 12, 2008 03:47:46 PM
Posted On February 4, 2009 03:54:25 PM
Posted On February 4, 2009 05:07:07 PM
Posted On November 8, 2007 09:11:27 AM
Posted On November 8, 2007 09:48:13 AM
Posted On February 17, 2009 04:16:58 AM
Posted On February 17, 2009 07:07:25 AM
Posted On August 1, 2008 10:38:12 AM
Posted On August 1, 2008 10:12:46 AM
Posted On August 2, 2007 09:13:21 AM
Posted On August 2, 2007 03:08:39 PM
Posted On May 17, 2009 10:03:23 AM
Posted On May 5, 2009 06:40:36 AM
Posted On May 4, 2009 12:44:43 PM
Posted On September 26, 2009 09:13:42 AM
Posted On August 25, 2009 07:34:45 PM
Posted On August 25, 2009 07:39:47 PM
Posted On September 9, 2008 12:55:21 AM
Posted On July 29, 2008 07:06:03 AM
Posted On July 1, 2008 10:26:44 PM
Posted On July 1, 2008 08:49:46 PM
Posted On June 5, 2008 05:04:39 PM
Posted On June 5, 2008 05:09:12 PM
Posted On August 9, 2008 02:46:08 AM
Posted On August 13, 2008 12:29:13 PM
alo
