MALIGNANT AND NON MALIGNANT TUMOUR REMOVAL
Tumours may be malignant or non-malignant (benign). The malignant tumours are cancerous and the cells grow out of control. The cells of malignant tumours, if not removed, can spread to other parts of the body, grow and create other tumours. This is called metastasis.
Non-malignant or Benign tumours are not cancerous. These cells tend not to spread and when removed usually do not come back.
A biopsy of the removed tumour is required.
What is the difference between benign and malignant tumours?
Benign Tumours that have been removed, in most cases do not come back. Cells from those tumours do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumours have cells that grow out of control. Cells in these tumours can spread to nearby tissues and or to other parts of the body (this is called metastasis).
Do genes cause cancer?
When genes malfunction or when the mechanisms controlling the activity of these genes is damaged, the separation and growth of the cells can go out of control and it becomes cancerous. Furthermore, when some genes are broken then they can malfunction and cause cancer.
How do you find out if a tumor is cancerous?
To determine if a tumour is cancerous or benign, a tissue sample or all the tumour is send to the laboratory for biopsy.
