What is the difference between tumors and cancers

Once breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the cancer cells can travel to other areas of the body, like the liver or bones. The breast cancer cells can then form tumors in those locations. A biopsy of these tumors might show characteristics of the original breast cancer tumor. Although there are exceptions—for example, although most malignant tumors grow rapidly and most benign ones do not, there are examples of both slow-growing cancerous tumors and noncancerous ones that grow quickly—the main differences between the two types of tumors are clear and consistent.

Here's a snapshot of the main ones:. Do not secrete hormones or other substances an exception: pheochromocytomas of the adrenal gland. Can spread via bloodstream or lymphatic system, or by sending "fingers" into nearby tissue. Cells have abnormal chromosomes and DNA characterized by large, dark nuclei; may have abnormal shape.

May require aggressive treatment, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy medications. Some types of benign tumors only very rarely transform into malignant tumors.

But some types, such as adenomatous polyps adenomas in the colon have a greater risk of transforming into cancer. That is why polyps, which are benign, are removed during colonoscopy.

Removing them is one way of preventing colon cancer. It's not always clear-cut whether a tumor is benign or malignant, and your healthcare provider may use several different factors to diagnose it as one or the other. You may end up with an uncertain diagnosis. Also, it is possible that a biopsy finds precancerous cells or misses the area where the cancerous cells are more prevalent.

In these cases, what was thought to be benign might turn out to be malignant as it further grows and develops. If you have been diagnosed with a malignant tumor, your oncologist cancer doctor will devise a treatment plan with you based on the stage of cancer.

Early-stage cancers haven't spread much, if at all, whereas later-stage cancers have spread to more areas of the body. Once the cancer stage is determined, you can proceed with therapy.

If you have been diagnosed with a benign tumor, your healthcare provider will provide reassurance that you do not have cancer. Depending on the type of benign tumor, your healthcare provider may recommend observation or removal for cosmetic or health purposes for instance, the tumor may be compromising an important organ in your body. Being diagnosed with a tumor can be an anxiety-ridden experience. Be sure to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider and ask whether there are any support groups that you can join.

And remember, the earlier that you or your healthcare provider detects a lump, the more likely the tumor is treatable. So if you notice something unusual on your body, don't wait to tell your healthcare provider. Surgical removal of the tumor is often used for both benign and malignant tumors. It is not a good screening test for diagnosing possible pancreas cancers in individuals without symptoms.

Instead, it can be useful in following the progress of patients known to have a cancer by measuring how their cancer is responding to treatment. A malignant tumor. It has the potential of invading into the adjacent tissues, spreading to other organs and may eventually lead to the patient's death. The middle part of the pancreas between the neck and the tail.

The superior mesenteric blood vessels run behind this part of the gland. A green fluid produced by the liver that helps digest fats. It is transported from the liver to the duodenum by the bile duct. When the flow of bile is blocked, patients may become jaundiced yellow skinned.

A duct that carries bile from the liver to the intestine. This term may refer to the hepatic, cystic or common bile duct. Tumors which are non-cancerous. These generally grow slowly and do not invade adjacent organs or spread metastasize beyond the pancreas. A radiographic technique used to visualize blood vessels. A contrast medium a dye is usually injected into the vessels to make them appear white on the x-rays. The large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart.

From the heart it arches backwards and descends into the abdomen where it gives off many branches to supply the organs. The superior mesenteric artery is a major branch of the aorta that can be involved by pancreatic cancer. The collection of excess amounts of fluid in the abdominal cavity belly. It often is a sign that the cancer has spread to either the liver or to the portal vein that goes to the liver, or that the cancer involves the internal lining of the abdomen.

If normal liver function is affected, a complex set of biochemical checks and balances is disrupted and abnormal amounts of fluid are retained. A surgical joining of two hollow structures. It is similar to attaching two ends of a garden hose. For example, a gastrojejunostomy is a surgical procedure that connects the stomach and the jejunum small intestine.

A condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue among other symptoms. A condition marked by a diminished apetite and aversion to food. Often results in physical signs of wasting. Chemotherapy given to patients after their cancers have been surgically removed. It is a secondary treatment given to supplement surgical treatment. This widening of the pancreatic duct as it reaches the duodenum is an landmark for physicians.

It is where the bile duct and pancreatic duct join before draining into the duodenum small intestine. Tumors in the head of the pancreas may squeeze this duct partially or completely closed. This can lead to problems with digestion and jaundice. A benign non-cancerous tumor made up of cells that form glands collections of cells surrounding an empty space. The form of cancer that most people are talking about when they refer to "cancer of the pancreas.

Microscopically, adenocarcinomas form glands. These tumors can grow large enough to invade nerves which can cause back pain. They also frequently spread metastasize to the liver or lymph nodes. If this happens the tumor may be considered unresectable. Term Definition Tumor Neoplasm The term "tumor" is a commonly used term for a neoplasm.

The word tumor simply means a mass. Tumor is therefore a general term that can refer to benign or malignant growths. A benign tumor is usually localized, and does not spread to other parts of the body. Many benign tumors don't need treatment, and the majority of those that do are curable.

However, if left untreated, some benign tumors can grow large and lead to serious complications because of their size. Benign tumors can also mimic malignant tumors, and so for this reason are sometimes treated. Malignant Tumor Cancer Malignant tumors are cancerous growths. They are often resistant to treatment, may spread to other parts of the body and they sometimes recur after they were removed.

Primary Cancer A primary pancreatic cancers arose in the pancreas itself. Metastatic Cancer Metastatic cancers arise in one organ and only later spread to other organs.

A cancer is considered primary to the organ from which it arose; a cancer that arises in the pancreas and spreads to the liver is considered a pancreatic, not liver, cancer. Read about Neuroendocrine Tumors. Learn about IPMNs. Adenocarcinomas most common This is a gland-forming it makes tubes cancer. Acinar Cell Carcinomas The cancer cells join to form circles with small spaces acini , and the tumor cells look like normal acinar cells of the pancreas.

Adenosquamous Carcinomas This is a very aggressive form of cancer. Colloid Carcinomas Colloid cancers tend to be less aggressive. Hepatoid Carcinomas Hepatoid carcinomas are extremely rare. Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms IPMNs Neoplasms that are characterized by ductal dilation, intraductal papillary growth, and thick mucus secretion. Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms These cyst-forming tumors arise in the tail of the pancreas, and have a distinctive "ovarian-type stroma.

Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia These small microscopic lesions are common, particularly as we age. Pancreatoblastomas These rare tumors often arise in children. Serous Cystadenomas This benign tumor forms spaces cysts , giving the tumor a "sponge-like" appearance.

Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma This tumor type is rare in the pancreas. Solid-Pseudopapillary Neoplasm This tumor is more common in women. Undifferentiated Carcinomas This is a very aggressive form of cancer. Undifferentiated Carcinoma with Osteoclast-like Giant Cells This tumor is composed of two cell types.

The term "tumor" is a commonly used term for a neoplasm. Precancerous changes can be mild to severe. There are different ways of describing precancerous changes based on how mild or severe the changes are.

Hyperplasia means that abnormal cells are dividing and increasing in number faster than normal. The cells look normal under the microscope but there are more cells than normal. Atypia means that cells are slightly abnormal atypical. Sometimes atypia may be caused by healing and inflammation but some types of atypia are precancerous.

Metaplasia means that there has been a change to the types of cells that are normally found in this area of the body. Dysplasia is a precancerous condition.

Carcinoma in situ is the most severe type of precancerous change. The cells are very abnormal but have not grown into nearby tissue. They can occur anywhere, but particularly the neck, shoulders, armpits, or trunk. Some have the potential, though, to become cancerous if abnormal cells continue to change and divide uncontrollably. Colon polyps, for example, are often precancerous. Our bodies constantly produce new cells to replace old ones.

Sometimes, DNA gets damaged in the process, so new cells develop abnormally. Instead of dying off, they continue to multiply faster than the immune system can handle, forming a tumor. Cancer cells can break away from tumors and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

The most common cancers are carcinomas, which develop in epithelial cells. They include the following:. Sarcomas begin in bones , soft tissues , and fibrous tissues.

This can include:. Germ cell tumors begin in cells that produce eggs or sperm. They can also develop in the abdomen, chest, or brain. Blastomas start in embryonic tissue and developing cells in the brain, eyes, or nervous stem. Children are more likely than adults to develop blastomas. Sometimes, though, you may not know you have a tumor. It may be found during a routine screening or checkup, or during a test for some other symptom.

After a physical exam, your doctor may use one or more imaging tests to help confirm a diagnosis, such as:. Blood tests are another common way to help with diagnosis.