HLSC 3464U Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Benign Tumor, Cylindroma, Intracranial Pressure
Document Summary
Benign an abnormal growth, but it is non-cancerous. Malignant a cancerous growth that is likely to spread. Note: benign tumours can be just as bad as having a malignant tumour. Both can grow to a large size. Both can have adverse effects to the patient. In some cases, benign tumours can be life threatening: ex: a benign brain tumour can increase in size in the enclosed cranium and cause swelling and intracranial pressure, destroying surrounding structures. If cells are left behind after surgical removal of the tumour, both benign and malignant tumours can later recur near the region of the original tumour. Just because a tumour is big, does not mean it will spread and just because a tumour is small does not mean it will not spread. Cellular appearance benign tumours are usually encapsulated and malignant tumours do not have a capsule. Malignant tumours have nuclei that appear larger and darker due to condensed dna.
