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terms tumor And cancer Various types of lumps and bumps may be noted. But these terms are often confused and misused – by the general public and even health professionals.
For example, doctors may use euphemisms such as tumor, mass, lesion, or spot when they really mean cancer,
So what is the difference between tumor and cancer? And why is it important to use the right words?
What is a tumor?
The Oxford Dictionary defines a tumor as “an abnormal swelling in or in any part of the body.” They grow in almost any part of the body, including fat, muscle, bone, nerves, and glands.
But not all tumors are cancer, and not all cancers are tumors.
Tumors can be “benign” (not cancerous) or “malignant” (cancerous).
Some benign tumors are harmless and do not require treatment. These include lipomas (accumulations of fat cells under the skin) or hemangiomas (overgrowths of blood vessels often resembling red-violet birthmarks).
Other benign tumors can cause problems because of their location. These include uterine fibroids, which can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, and benign pituitary adenomas, which can overproduce hormones. Even though these tumors are not cancerous, they can still be dangerous and doctors sometimes recommend surgery to remove them.
What is cancer?
Cancer develops when normal cells have genetic changes, called mutations, that allow them to escape the body’s normal “checks and balances.”
Many of the hallmarks of cancer were defined more than 25 years ago and include uncontrolled growth and evasion of immune destruction.
Importantly, cancer cells can invade surrounding structures (called invasion) and spread to other locations (metastasis). These are the key characteristics that distinguish malignant tumors (cancer) from benign tumors (not cancer).
Cancers in solid organs – such as the breast, skin or lung – are sometimes called malignant tumors because they form masses. But not all cancers form groups. Blood cancers such as leukemia do not usually occur.
How are they detected?
Both tumors and cancer can cause lumps and bumps, which are either discovered by the patient (Doctor, what is this lump?) or discovered during investigation for a symptom (Doctor, I can’t swallow).
About the authors
Sarah Sasson is Scientia Senior Lecturer in Medicine (Immunology) at UNSW Sydney.
Megan Barnett is a medical oncologist and PhD candidate in immunology at the Garvan Institute.
This article was first published Conversation And it is republished under a Creative Commons license. read the original article,
Symptoms vary depending on where the tumor is (both benign and malignant) and what type of cells it is made of. For example, tumors in the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, intestine) may cause symptoms as the mass begins to obstruct the digestive tract.
imaging such as ultrasound, CT or MRI This may be needed for further investigation. A tissue sample may also be taken (via needle or surgery) Then a pathologist can look at the sample under a microscope to determine the type of cell to determine whether it is benign or malignant.
How are they managed?
Management may be similar, such as excision of a benign meningioma (brain tumor) or a malignant basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer).
Management can also vary greatly. Malignant tumors (cancer) have the ability to spread, and are associated with an increased risk of death in advanced stages. Therefore the management of cancer is often more time-sensitive and complex.
Treatment of some malignant tumors involves a combination of systemic treatments, such as surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, which affect the entire body.
Why is it important to get the words right?
Misuse of the terms cancer and tumor can be confusing and misleading. This may be because the word “cancer” carries a stigma of illness and death, even though many cancers have a good outlook.
When talking to patients, it is important for doctors to “get it right.” Less than half of patients understand that if doctors use euphemisms such as tumor, mass, lesion, or spot, it means cancer.
In fact, any kind of vague language that doctors use when communicating with patients about cancer can increase confusion.
in short
The terms tumor and cancer are not interchangeable. Solid cancers are tumors and malignant tumors are cancers.
But not all tumors are malignant, and not all cancers are solid.