What is the difference betwen cancer and a tumour??
Can you die from having a tumour??
2006-11-15 09:20:47 · 25 answers · asked by Beautiful - 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Cancer is a malignant tumor.
You can die from having a benign tumor (depending on location) or a malignant tumor (depending on metastasis, grade, stage, health, etc). However, it is far easier to treat and remove a localized benign tumor than it is to treat a malignant tumor (cancer).
A tumor is a result of your own cells growing in a clump in a place where it ordinarily should not.
A tumor is graded by doctors by how normal or abnormal it looks. If it is somewhat normal looking (the cells under a microscope) than it is probably a benign tumor. Benign means that the tumor is found in one spot. It can grow though and can become life threatening in certain situations. (Benign brain tumors that grow have no where to expand and become dangerous).
A malignant tumor is the next step up from benign. What malignant means is that the tumor cells start to look very abdnormal under a microscope. Malignant means that the tumor can spred by 'seeding' smaller malignant cells and replicate itself to other parts of the body. This is commonly called metatastis. Malignant tumors can be difficult to treat depending upon where they are in the body and how aggressive the tumors are as they grow. Some tumors grow very fast and are therefore, very deadly. Some tumors can take 20 or 30 years to grow and are far less life threatening.
Whether the tumor is benign or malignant it should be taken seriously and removed or treated by a physician (oncologist if cancerouse).
2006-11-15 09:38:42 · answer #1 · answered by Panda 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends - some tumours are non-cancerous in which case not so serious. The problem with cancerous tumours in not so much with the tumour sometimes but with rogue cells that break away and travel to other parts of the body through the lymph system and then multiply to become a secondary cancer. Often its the secondary cancer that becomes more deadly. Anyway - lets not be morbid - everyone with cancer has a good chance and one of the keys is to stay positive and dont harbour your worries - talk to your oncology staff - no one knows better then them xxx
2006-11-15 17:28:50 · answer #2 · answered by starlet108 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
Tumour means abnormal lump of cells
Now these cells can be malignant or benign
Malignant means that it can spread to the body like bone, lungs and brain etc
Benign tumour can't spread (by definition)
How dangerous tumour is depends on the type and location
two things to consider here, Benign tumours can turn malignant at some stage and that is why they remove it in the first place
Benign tumour can kill by the way. If for example the tumour in a place that you can't access like some part of your brain then the tumour may kill you be exerting pressure inside the brain!
Hope that helps
2006-11-15 18:50:20 · answer #3 · answered by toietmoi 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary:
cancer // n.
1 a any malignant growth or tumour from an abnormal and uncontrolled division of body cells. b a disease caused by this.
tumour // n. (US tumor)
a swelling, esp. from an abnormal growth of tissue, whether benign or malignant.
So tumours can either be life-threatening or harmless, but if the tumour is life-threatening, it is a cancer. Hope this helps.
2006-11-15 17:27:12 · answer #4 · answered by angarch83 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes but all is not lost cancer usually spreads but most cancers can be controlled but not always ... a tumour an be either malignant or benign and it al depends on were the tumour is and the outcome.. sorry ... but to be positive my friend recently had breast scan had 3 sights had biopsy had to wait a weak on the results wasn't looking good but turned out ok even though family history wasn't good hope everything turns out OK my worst nightmare good luck xx
2006-11-15 17:45:24 · answer #5 · answered by bobonumpty 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on if the tumour is cancerous or not. Lots of people have tumours removed and recover fully from the op.
2006-11-15 17:37:14 · answer #6 · answered by mrsjingles26 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tumour is a growth that can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non cancerous). More often they are cysts. When discovered, they are generally investigated by a biopsy before surgery and if benign then usually removed fairly easily. I've had more than one removed and not in very pleasant places either! Even if they are malignant, it doesn't mean that someone will die - they are more often than not treatable. So don't panic!
2006-11-15 17:35:40 · answer #7 · answered by Druantia 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A tumour is a form of cancer but if found soon enough most cancers have a good survival rate it also depends some tumours are not cancerous but its always better to get it checked out
2006-11-15 17:31:59 · answer #8 · answered by gracie 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A tumor can be benign (non-life threatening) or malignant (cancerous).
Yes, you can die from a cancerous tumor.
There are many different types of tumors and cancers. How early it is found and where it is in the body plays a big role in possible cures/treatments.
If you or someone you know has this, they should have a doctor who will aggressively treat it.
God Bless,
Sue
2006-11-15 17:23:59 · answer #9 · answered by newbiegranny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on what part of the body the tumour is eg major blood vessels or organs makes it more life threatening, the size of it also plays a factor, and if the tumour is cancerous and if it is has it passed onto other parts of the body. all the best
2006-11-15 17:23:53 · answer #10 · answered by missree 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋