Benign VS. Malignant
Malignant (ability to cause death)
usually causes death unless growth can be controlled.
Malignant metastasis
Gains access to the blood and lymphatic channels and metastasizes to the other areas of the body.
Malignant mode of growth
Grows at the periphery and overcomes contact inhibition to invade and infiltrate surrounding tissues.
Malignant Cell
Cells are undifferentiated and may bear little resemblance to the normal cells of the tissue form which they arose.
Benign metastasis
Does NOT spread by metastasis
Benign (ability to cause death)
Does not usually cause death unless its location interferes with vital function
Benign tissue destruction
Does not usually cause tissue damage unless its location interferes with blood flow
Benign general effects
It is usually localized phenomenon that does not cause generalized effects unless its location interferes with vital functions
Malignant tissue destruction
Often causes extensive tissue damage as the tumor outgrows its blood supply or encroaches on blood flow to the area; may also produce substances that cause cell damage.
Malignant general effects
Often causes generalized effects, such as anemia, weakness, systemic inflammation, weight loss, and CACS
Benign rate of growth
Rate of growth is usually slow
Malignant rate of growth
Rate of growth is variable and depends on level of differentiation; a more anaplastic the tumor, the faster the growth.
Benign mode of growth
Tumors grow by expansion and does not infiltrate the surrounding tissue; usually encapsulated.
Benign Cell
Well differentiated cells resemble normal cells if the tissue from which the tumor originated
Anaplastic
pattern of growth in which cells lack normal characteristics and differ in shape and organization with respect to their cells or origin; usually anaplastic cells are malignant.