Surviving and Coping with Benign Tumors
What are Benign Tumors?
Tumors are abnormal growths in your body which are made of extra cells. Typically, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. The body balances cell growth and division. Old cells eventually die and are automatically replaced with new, healthy ones. Sometimes, this process goes awry. New cells form at an excessive rate when your body does not need them and old cells do not die when they should. When these extra cells, dead cells remain to form a mass, it is called a Tumor.
Tumors can either be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous, malignant ones are.
Characteristics of Benign Tumors
- They grow only in one place
- They cannot spread (metastasize) or invade other tissues in the body.
- They are predominantly non-lethal
- The boundaries are circumscribed i.e. within limits
- The surrounding tissues are often compressed
- They can be easily removed
- They are slow-growing and usually do not grow back
- They can pose danger if they become large in size and press on vital organs such as the brain, treatment often involves surgery
Types of Benign Tumors
1) Adenomas: Originate from glandularepithelium.They may or may not form a glandular pattern. The epithelial tissue is a thin layer of tissues covering organs, glands, and other structures. Eg. polypgrowth in the colon or growths on liver, pituitary or thyroid gland
2) Fibromas (Fibroid): Tumors made up of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissues found in the uterus during childbearing years
3)Lipomas: Grow from fat cells, often found in neck, shoulders, back or arms
4)Myomas: Grow in the muscle cell or in the walls of blood vessels
5)Meningiomas: Tumors that develop from the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
6)Neuromas: Tumours that grow from nerves. They can occur almost anywhere in nerves that run throughout the body
7)Ostechondromas: The most common type of benign bone tumor. These tumors usually appear as a painless bulge near the joints such as the knee or shoulder
8)Nevi also known as moles are benign growths on the skin
9) Papilloma: Tumors that grow from surface lining epithelial tissue and make finger-like projections. They grow on the skin, cervix, breast ducts, conjunctiva. They may be benign or malignant
Characteristics of Benign Tumors
- They grow only in one place
- They cannot spread (metastasize) or invade other tissues in the body.
- They are predominantly non-lethal
- The boundaries are circumscribed i.e. within limits
- The surrounding tissues are often compressed
- They can be easily removed
- They are slow-growing and usually do not grow back
- They can pose danger if they become large in size and press on vital organs such as the brain, treatment often involves surgery
What are the causes?
The etiologyof benign tumors is unknown, but several factors mayinfluence these formations
1) Hereditary or genetic Mutation
2)Imbalanced diet and unhealthy lifestyle, Excessive alcohol
3) Excess imaging scan radiations
4) Environmental toxins or toxic chemicals released from industrial waste
5) Stress, sleep deprivation, work-related stress
What are the symptoms?
- Fever
- Loss of Appetite
- Discomfort or pain
- Headache
- Vision trouble
- Fuzzy memory
- Chills
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Treatment
At Cancer Healer Center treatment for Benign Tumorsis recommended only when there are symptoms. Patients approach us when they detect a growth during a routine check or they have symptoms that may indicate a tumor.
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With proper diagnosis throughphysical examinations, ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, X rays, and in some cases complete blood tests (CBC) reports the severity of the tumor is analysed. Relevant treatment is done depending on the size and location of the tumor to control its growth as well as regress the disease.
- If the tumor is small and isn’t causing any symptoms, we generally followa “wait-and- watch” approach. Medications are given to shrink the size of the tumor or reducing pain. Benign tumors of certain types are so common that we can just watch them.We know that they grow slowly, perhaps so small in size so why bother to get them removed. But it is critical to follow or observe them because no one knows which of those will be stable or not grow at allor which can grow rapidly.
- While maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising, and eating a balanced diet can prevent certain types of tumorsas it may cease the growth of these tumors.
- Immunity boosting is also essential in treating benign tumors. This could be done through eating a balanced diet and through medicines that enhance the immune cells of the bodyto act upon these tumors to control as well as decrease the severity or its size.
One can live with benign tumors as long as it not causing any pain or discomfort or is not changing or growing.Some types of benign tumors can become cancerous over time; early detection and timely medical intervention can make all the difference. Also,being optimistic and positive goes a long way!!!