Benign Versus Malignant

Cancer is an abnormal, continual multiplying of cells. The cells divide uncontrollably and may grow into adjacent tissue or spread to distant parts of the body. The mass of cancer cells will eventually become large enough to produce lumps, masses, or tumors that can be detected. These lumps, masses, or tumors can be benign or malignant:

Benign Tumors

Benign tumors are not cancerous. They:

• can usually be removed 
• do not come back in most cases 
• do not spread to other parts of the body and the cells do not invade other tissues

Malignant Tumors

Malignant tumors are cancerous. They:

• can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs
• metastasize (cancer cells break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form secondary tumors in other parts of the body)