We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Types of Benign Tumors?

By S. McCumber
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 15,441
Share

There are many types of benign tumors that vary in their placement in the body as well as in how harmful they can be. Benign tumors are not considered as dangerous as malignant tumors, because they do not spread as invasively as malignant tumors. They can, however, grow to sizes that can lead to organ failure if not treated. The main types of benign tumors include lipomas, leiomyomas, neuromas, hemangiomas and nodular tenosynovitis.

Lipomas occur in fatty tissue and are very common. They are usually easily discovered as lumps beneath the skin and treatment usually is not necessary. If a lipoma becomes overly large or painful, it can normally be removed by excision. This is usually done with a local anesthetic on an outpatient basis.

Leiomyomas are benign tumors of the internal organs that develop on the walls of blood vessels. They are commonly found in the uterus and are referred to as uterine fibroids. They are not usually life threatening, though they are often removed because they can interfere with the function of the organ to which they are attached. A similar tumor that develops in muscle tissue is termed rhabdomyoma, and is less common than leiomyomas.

Another class of benign tumors, and one that affects the nervous system, is the neuroma. Neuromas affect nerve tissue and can be brought on by trauma or other factors. The most common types of neuromas affect the foot — where they can produce painful swelling in the joints or between the toes — and the ear, where it is referred to as an acoustic neuroma.

Hemangiomas are the most common type of benign tumors that affect the blood vessels. They cause a buildup of blood vessels that is often visible on the top of the skin. This buildup is often referred to as a strawberry and it often will dissipate on its own. More severe cases can be treated with a laser that removes the buildup and reduces the discoloration on the skin. A hemangioma occasionally will occur around the eye or eyelid and may cause a reduction in vision that could require the tumor's removal by surgery.

Nodular tenosynovitis occurs in the joints, normally in the synovial fluid. It also is referred to as giant-cell tumor of the tendon sheath. It is a class of benign tumors that is most often found in the joints of the hand, including the wrist and fingers. While these tumors are usually painless, they can affect the mobility of the joint and are often removed by excision.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By mobilian33 — On Sep 12, 2014

Most people breathe a sign of relief when they have a tumor and the doctor tells them it is benign. But like this article says, both malignant and benign tumors can be dangerous. I know people who have actually had treatment for cancerous tumors and fared much better than other people who had benign tumors that were located close to major organs.

By Feryll — On Sep 12, 2014

When I was a kid, we had a dog who developed a tumor. I was rubbing him one night while we were watching TV, and I noticed this big lump on his side. Originally, we thought he had bumped into something or injured himself in some other way. After a couple of days the lump was still there and a little larger.

The dog seemed fine. He was as playful and energetic as ever, Mom said for us to put him in the car, and she drove us to the vet to see what was going on. To our surprise the lump turned out to be a tumor. The vet told us that canine benign tumors and cancerous tumors in dogs were more common than most people knew. Eventually, the tumor was removed and Buffy lived a long and happy life.

By Sporkasia — On Sep 11, 2014

Regardless of who you are and your medical history, discovering a lump or knot on your body where there was not one previously can be frightening. The fear is even greater when you have had cancer and have gone through the treatment.

I have a friend who had breast cancer. She was doing a self exam when she found the original tumor. Of course she was hoping it was nothing serious, but the thought that she might have cancer was in her mind all the time. Still, even though she knew cancer was possible, she says she was totally floored when her doctor actually said the word cancer and told her her tumor was malignant.

She has been cancer free for years now, but there have been several scary moments with new tumors. Fortunately, so far only benign tumors have been found since she had the original treatment.

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-benign-tumors.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.