Recognize the difference between tumors and cancer (malignant tumors)

The term benign tumor, malignant tumor or cancer is familiar to your ears. Many think that the tumor is cancer, or vice versa. In fact, not all tumors are cancerous. This mistake arises because most people do not know what is the difference between tumor and cancer. So, what is the difference between cancer and tumor? Come on, learn more about the differences below.

Why do many think tumors and cancer are the same?

Before recognizing the difference between tumor and cancer, it is necessary to know the reasons why many think cancer and tumor are the same condition.

By definition, a tumor known in medical terms as a neoplasm is the growth of tissue due to abnormal cells. Meanwhile, cancer is a disease that occurs when certain cells in the body become abnormal, cells are able to divide without control and spread to surrounding tissues.

There is a reason why many people think cancer and tumors are the same. Tumors and cancer have similarities, namely causing lumps of various sizes and shapes.

Tumors that are basically growing tissue can cause lumps. Likewise, cancerous lumps are formed due to overactive cells dividing, causing buildup.

In addition, it can recur if treatment is not carried out completely until the abnormal cells are completely removed from the body. Although they have similarities, tumors and cancer are not the same.

So, what is the difference between tumor and cancer?

The difference between tumors and cancers that needs to be emphasized is that cancer can cause tumors, but tumors that appear do not necessarily lead to cancer.

Keep in mind that tumors can be benign and malignant. Reported on the John Hopkins Medicine website, benign tumors are non-cancerous tumors (benign tumors) which are usually not life-threatening.

This type of tumor does not spread to other tissues and only remains in one part of the body. In most cases, benign tumors are found in bone (osteochondroma) or connective tissue (fibrous dysplasia).

Meanwhile, malignant tumors (malignant tumors) are a type of tumor that is formed from cancer cells. This malignant tumor is what you can call cancer.

These malignant tumors can spread rapidly and damage the surrounding tissue, even to any part of the body (metastasis).

Therefore, some people can have more than one cancer in different areas, for example starting with breast cancer which later forms cancer in the lungs. This condition is also known as secondary cancer.

It is not known exactly what causes a malignant tumor to spread to this area. However, health experts argue that this has to do with genetic factors, lifestyle, and the possibility of spreading cancer cells through the lymphatic system.

The difference between tumor and cancer can also be seen from the location of the recurrence of the disease. Benign tumors can come back and appear in the same area. Meanwhile, cancer can recur in any part of the body.

Both tumors and cancer, need medical care

Cancer or a malignant tumor is said to be the second most common disease that can cause death. Even so, you should not underestimate benign tumors that grow. The reason is, some benign tumors can also be life-threatening if they are in certain parts of the body, such as brain tumors that can slowly destroy brain structures.

The Yale Medicine website, also states that benign tumors can undergo changes to cancer, also known as precancerous tumors (premalignant). This is because there are more and more abnormalities in the DNA in cells, thus allowing the cell's command system to divide to become problematic.

That is why, someone who shows the characteristics of tumor growth needs to undergo examination and treatment as well as cancer.

Before being prescribed treatment, your doctor will likely check your physical condition, personal and family medical history, and ask you to undergo a biopsy test. Through this test, your doctor can find out whether the lump you have is cancerous or a benign tumor.

The difference between tumor and cancer is the treatment that must be followed. The tumor is usually removed by surgery or ablation (removing the tumor with cold or hot energy).

If the tumor is in a hard-to-reach location, the doctor may recommend embolization, which is to stop blood flow to the tumor so that the tumor slowly shrinks and dies.

Meanwhile cancer treatment will be much more complex. In addition to surgical removal of malignant tumors or embolization, patients also have to undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy.