Benign Tumors

Benign tumors are characterized by slow, circumscribed growth. Some of these benign tumors suddenly stop growing and form well-defined tumors surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. These include, for example, lipomas and fibromas. Others grow expansively and can displace normal tissue. However, tissue destruction usually does not take place. Benign tumors usually consist of well differentiated tissue with a regular cell structure. However, in contrast to malignant tumours, benign tumours do not metastasise. A life-threatening disease due to such tumours only arises if a natural passage, such as in the trachea, the ureters or the gastrointestinal tract, is impeded. These tumours can usually be surgically removed radically and are hardly prone to recurrence. Benign tumours still perform the functions that are characteristic of the tissue from which they have developed.