Benign
Most benign tumors are not harmful, and they are unlikely to affect other parts of the body. However, they can cause pain or other problems if they press against nerves or blood vessels or if they trigger the overproduction of hormones, as in the endocrine system. Examples of benign tumors include:
Adenomas
Adenomas develop in glandular epithelial tissue, which is the thin membrane that co
vers glands, organs, and other structures in the body. Examples include:
polyps in the colon
fibroadenomas, a common form of benign breast tumor
hepatic adenomas, which occur on the liver
Adenomas do not start as cancer. However, some can change and become adenocarcinomas, which are cancerous. Learn more about fibroadenomas of the breast here. Fibroids
Fibroids, or fibromas, are benign tumors that can grow on the fibrous or connective tissue of any organ. Uterine fibroids are common and can cause:
vaginal bleeding
pelvic pain or discomfort
urinary incontinence
They can be “soft” or “hard,” depending on the proportion of fibers to cells. There are many types of fibroma, including:
angiofibromas, which can appear as small red bumps on the face
dermatofibromas, which appear on the skin, often on the lower legs
Some fibromas can cause symptoms and may need surgery. In rare cases, fibroids can change and become fibrosarcomas. These are cancerous. Learn more about dermatofibromas. Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are benign tumors that form when blood vessels grow excessively. They can appear as red “strawberry marks” on the skin or they can develop inside the body. They are often present at birth and disappear during childhood. Hemangiomas do not usually need treatment, but laser surgery and other options are available if they do not go away.
