Tumors: definition, symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What is that

Tumor or lump, also known as neoplasm, is a non-specific term but is often used to describe a collection of abnormal tissue that is solid or filled with fluid.

What are the types of tumors?

There are many different types of tumors, and they are named based on the shape and type of tissue in which the condition occurs.

Broadly speaking, these conditions can be divided into three, namely:

Benign

Medical News Today says this type of tumor cannot spread or grow, or it can be very slow. If the doctor removes them, these lumps generally don't come back.

Most benign lumps are harmless and do not affect other parts of the body. However, these lumps can cause pain or other problems if they put pressure on nerves or blood vessels or if they trigger excessive hormone production. Examples of this condition are:

• Adenoma

These lumps develop in glandular epithelial tissue, which is the thin membrane that covers glands, organs, and other structures in the body.

• Fibroids

Fibroids or fibromas are benign tumors that can grow on the fibrous tissue or fish of any organ.

Some fibromas can cause symptoms and may require surgery. In rare cases, fibroids can change and become fibrosarcomas, which are cancer.

• Hemangioma

It is a benign tumor that forms when blood vessels are excess. This condition presents as red "strawberry marks" on the skin or develops in the body. This condition occurs at birth and disappears with childhood.

• Lipoma

Lipoma is a form of soft tissue tumor and consists of fat cells. Most lipomas are small, painless, soft to the touch, and can move. Usually these bumps appear on the back, shoulders, arms, buttocks, the tops of the legs.

Semi malignant (pre-cancerous)

In this condition, the cells have not yet become cancerous, but have the potential to become malignant. Examples of this condition are:

• Actinic keratosis

This condition, also known as solar keratosis, is a growth that involves thick, scaly patches of skin. Actinic keratosis tends to occur in white people. Sun exposure can increase the risk.

• Cervical dysplasia

In this condition, changes occur in the cells lining the cervix. The doctor may find these cells during a Pap smear. Cervical dysplasia often originates from the human papillomavirus (HPV), an infection that commonly affects young people.

• Metaplasia of the lungs

This growth occurs in the bronchi, which are the tubes that carry air to the lungs. The lining of the bronchi contains glandular cells. In some people, including smokers, these can change and become squamous cells or cancer.

Malignant

Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells can grow and develop into other parts of your body. If so, this disease can be life threatening.

Malignant tumors can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. This process is called metastasis.

Cancer cells can move to other parts of the body is the same as the original cells, but they have the ability to attack other organs. If lung cancer spreads to the liver, for example, the cancer cells in the liver are still lung cancer cells. Examples of this condition include:

• Carcinoma

It is formed from epithelial cells, which are in the skin and tissues that cover or line the organs of the body. This condition can occur in the stomach, prostate, pancreas, lungs, liver, large intestine, or breast.

• Sarcoma

This condition appears in connective tissue, such as cartilage, bone, fat, and nerves. Sarcomas originate from cells outside the bone marrow. Most sarcomas are malignant.

• Germ cell tumor

This condition develops in cells that produce sperm and eggs. These lumps appear on the ovaries or testicles. However, it can also appear on the brain, stomach, or chest.

• Blastoma

It is formed from developing embryonic tissue or cells. Blastoma is much more common in children in children than in adults. They can cause tumors in the brain, eye, or nervous system.

How common

Tumors are such a common condition, millions of people are diagnosed with various types of tumors each year. Tumors can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms

Not all tumors, malignant or benign, have symptoms. The signs and symptoms that appear vary from person to person, with regard to their type, size and / or location, as well as the treatments to overcome them.

If it is close to the skin or in a soft tissue area, such as the stomach, it can be felt by touch. Common symptoms are:

• Headache
• Seizures
• Loss of sensory and motor control
• Hearing loss
• Loss of sight
• Weakness
• Depression
• Behavioral and cognitive changes
• Endocrine dysfunction

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other treatments can cause new symptoms to reduce the impact of this condition.

Benign lumps may be large enough to detect, especially if they are close to the surface of the skin. However, most benign lumps are not large enough to cause discomfort.

Some cases of discoloration of the skin may prove symptoms of a benign tumor on the skin. Anything that looks outside of normal should be evaluated by a doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Even if many lumps are benign, you still need to contact your doctor after detecting new growths or symptoms that could point to the condition. This includes skin lesions or moles that appear unusual.

If you notice a change in a lump that was previously classified as mild, contact your doctor immediately. Some types of benign tumors can turn malignant over time. Early detection can simplify treatment and prevention.

Cause

What causes

In general, this condition occurs when cells divide and overgrow in the body. Under normal conditions, the body regulates cell division and growth.

New cells are created to replace old cells and perform new functions. Meanwhile, cells that are destroyed or no longer needed die to make room for healthy replacement cells.

If the balance between growing and dying cells is disturbed, tumors can form. Problems with the body's immune system can also cause tumors.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for

There are many risk factors for this condition, namely:

Environmental risk factors

Exposure to ionizing radiation has been shown to increase the risk of developing tumors. In addition, a history of allergies as an adult, a mother who consumed fruits and vegetables during pregnancy, consumed fruits and vegetables since she was a child, had chickenpox when she was a child.

Genetic risk factors

Most genetic risk factors are not inherited at birth, but increase with age. Inactivity or malfunction can change the way cells grow, which can lead to lumps growing.

Diagnosis

How to diagnose a tumor?

Doctors usually use several techniques to make a diagnosis. The key to the diagnosis is to determine whether the lump is benign or malignant. Only laboratory tests can show this.

Your doctor will probably do a physical exam and check your medical history. The doctor will also ask you about the symptoms you feel related to the tumor.

Several tests are performed to diagnose and see if the condition has disappeared, shrunk, stayed the same, or changed. Like any medical condition, follow-up treatment for brain tumors can last years or even a lifetime.

The following tests may be requested by the doctor:

• Neurological examination
• CT Scan
• MRI scan
• X-rays
• Laboratory test
• DNA profiling

Benign conditions usually have a visual border of the protective pouch that makes the doctor give a benign diagnosis. The doctor may also order blood tests to check for the presence of cancer markers.

In other cases, the doctor will perform a biopsy procedure to determine whether the lump is benign or malignant. Skin lumps are easy to remove and only require local anesthesia, whereas colon polyps require colonoscopy and abdominal tumors may require endoscopy.

Treatment

How to treat tumors?

Doctors can indicate different types of treatment based on the location and type of tumor. Not all benign lumps need treatment.

If the lump is small and doesn't cause any symptoms, your doctor may take a see-and-wait approach. In this case, treatment may be more risky than tolerable. Some cases need no treatment at all.

If the doctor decides to take medication, the specific treatment will depend on the location of your tumor. The lump may be removed for cosmetic reasons, for example, if it is located on the face or neck.

Meanwhile, for conditions that cause cancer, treatment can include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and surgery.

• Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. Many classes of cancer drugs need to be given by an oncologist or specialist who treats cancer with medication.

• Targeted therapy

A new type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances that target tumor cells precisely and cause less harm to normal cells.

• Immunotherapy

Medications that use certain parts of a person's immune system to fight tumors.

• Radiation therapy

Use of high-powered x-rays or other wave particles to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy sequences usually involve several specific treatments over a period of time. This therapy can be done in conjunction with other treatments.

• Operation

Removal of the tumor and some surrounding tissue to completely eliminate the negative margin from surgery.

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat a tumor?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat tumors:

• Enough rest
• Get some exercise

Physical activity increases your strength and immune system. Some of the activities that you can try are regular exercise, running, swimming, and so on

• Healthy diet

It is important that you follow a healthy diet to maintain your health. Several small studies suggest that a diet low in saturated fat but high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as olive oil and fish oil, can be beneficial. Further research is still needed.

• Relieve stress

It is important that you get rid of stress because it can worsen symptoms. Yoga, tai chi, massage, meditation or deep breathing are some of the effective methods.