Neoplasm

Alternative names

Mass; Tumor

Definition

A tumor is a growth of tissue that forms an abnormal mass. Tumors generally provide no useful function and grow at the expense of healthy tissues.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

In general, tumors appear to be caused by abnormal regulation of cell division. Typically, the division of cells in the body is strictly controlled - new cells are created to replace older ones or to perform new functions. Cells that are damaged or no longer needed die to make room for healthy replacements.

If the balance of cell division and death is disturbed, a tumor may form. Tumors are classified as either benign (slow-growing and often harmless depending on the location) or malignant (faster-growing and likely to spread to other parts of the body and cause problems). Malignant tumors are what we call cancer.

Abnormalities of the immune system, which usually detects and blocks aberrant growth, can lead to tumors. Other causes include tobacco, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, radiation, genetic abnormalities, excessive sunlight exposure, benzene, and a number of other chemicals and toxins.

Tobacco causes more deaths from cancer than any other environmental agent.

Some tumors are more common in one sex than the other, some are more common among children or the elderly, and some vary with diet, environment, and genetic risk factors.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung tumors may cause coughing, Shortness of breath, or chest pain, while tumors of the colon can cause Weight Loss, Diarrhea, constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and blood in the stool. Some tumors produce no symptoms, but symptoms that often accompany tumors include:

• Fever
  
• Chills
  
• Night sweats
  
• Weight Loss
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Fatigue
  
• Malaise
  

Signs and tests

Like the symptoms, the signs of tumors vary based on their site and type. When a tumor is found, a biopsy is performed to determine if the tumor is benign or malignant. Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be a simple procedure or a serious operation. Most patients with tumors undergo s or to determine the exact location of the tumor and its extent. More recently, positron emission tomography (PET) scans have been used to visualize certain tumors types.