What Are the Treatments for Benign Tumors?

Tumors are growths of body tissue that are abnormal. Tumors can be malignant or benign. Benign tumors are noncancerous, meaning they are not at danger of spreading or causing cancer throughout the body. However, benign tumors can cause an array of problems, sometimes severe. Benign tumors can appear anywhere in or on the body and can be any size. The treatment for benign tumors depends largely on size, location, symptoms caused by the tumors and the possibility to transform into a malignancy.

Surgery

Some benign tumors require surgical removal. Benign tumors can be very large and cause internal damage. Benign tumors in the brain or nervous system are examples of tumors that interfere with body functions and necessitate removal. Large benign tumors anywhere in the body may cause problems that doctors cannot resolve without tumor removal.

No Treatment

If a benign tumor is in a place where it will cause no damage, there may not be a need for any further treatment. A doctor must analyze the tumor, its location, its size and other factors before determining that it is not a risk for harming the patient.

Watch and Wait

Certain tumors have the ability to change from benign to malignant and need careful watching. Often, these tumors are in places that would make surgery difficult or dangerous, so the patient and doctor agree that removal is not the best option unless it transforms into a malignancy. The doctor repeats CT scans or MRIs every six months to make sure the tumor is not growing or changing.

Considerations

Doctors and patients together should come up with a treatment plan for benign tumors. If the patient is unhappy or uncomfortable with a treatment plan, he should speak up at that time. If the doctor and patient do not agree on a treatment plan, the patient should seek a second opinion.

Warning

If the treatment plan includes leaving the tumor in place, make sure to make all future medical providers aware of its existence. If problems occur in the future, they can evaluate the tumor to make sure it isn't responsible for the issues.

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Benign Tumors