Causes of Benign Tumors Environmental toxins, such as exposure to radiation. Genetics. Diet. Stress.
Chronic stress can activate the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system, cause the release of endocrine hormones and promote the occurrence and development of tumors.
The exact cause of a benign tumor is often unknown. It develops when cells in the body divide and grow at an excessive rate. Typically, the body is able to balance cell growth and division. When old or damaged cells die, they are automatically replaced with new, healthy cells.
A 2019 study, for example, showed that stress hormones can increase the number of pro-tumor immune cells in tumors.
Benign tumors are not usually problematic. However, they can become large and compress structures nearby, causing pain or other medical complications. For example, a large benign lung tumor could compress the trachea (windpipe) and cause difficulty in breathing. This would warrant urgent surgical removal.
While many benign tumors do not need treatment, some do, especially if they are causing symptoms. Usually if a benign tumor requires treatment, we remove it surgically. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques, which require small incisions and have minimal recovery time.
Even though most benign tumors are harmless and can be left alone, it's important they be monitored. And any tumor that is painful or growing requires a visit to the doctor.
Studies have found many health problems related to stress. Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma.
The simple act of thinking can accelerate the growth of many brain tumors. That's the conclusion of a paper in Cell published Thursday that showed how activity in the cerebral cortex affected high-grade gliomas, which represent about 80 percent of all malignant brain tumors in people.
Levels tend to increase when a cancer is progressing or has metastasized, but there are many other noncancerous conditions that can cause elevations as well, such as anemia, kidney disease, and many infections.
Cells that are damaged or no longer needed die to make room for healthy replacements. If the balance of cell growth and death is disturbed, a tumor may form. Problems with the body's immune system can lead to tumors.
Lipomas: Lipomas are formed by fat cells. They are the most common type of benign tumor. Meningiomas: These tumors develop in the brain and spinal cord membranes and are most commonly benign. Nevi: These noncancerous growths are more typically known as moles and appear on the skin.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Conventional chemotherapy is occasionally used to shrink non-cancerous brain tumours or kill any cells left behind after surgery. Radiotherapy involves using controlled doses of high-energy radiation, usually X-rays, to kill the tumour cells.
Benign soft tissue tumors may or may not cause pain and vary widely in appearance. If the tumor grows or causes pain, it should be assessed by a doctor.
Changes in mental function, mood or personality.
Depression and anxiety, especially if either develops suddenly, may be an early symptom of a brain tumor.
A benign tumor has distinct, smooth, regular borders. A malignant tumor has irregular borders and grows faster than a benign tumor. A malignant tumor can also spread to other parts of your body. A benign tumor can become quite large, but it will not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of your body.
No, being stressed doesn't directly increase the risk of cancer. The best quality studies have followed up many people for several years. They have found no evidence that those who are more stressed are more likely to get cancer.
There is no definitive cause of primary brain tumors or brain cancer. Secondary brain tumors, or brain metastases, are cancers that originate in other parts of the body and spread to the brain. They are far more common than primary brain tumors.
Solid stress in brain tumours causes neuronal loss and neurological dysfunction and can be reversed by lithium.
Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems.
If not removed entirely by surgery, the growth of benign tumors should be monitored regularly by the patient and every six months to a year by the physician. In cases of sarcoma (cancerous growth), patients should have regular rechecks of their condition to monitor whether the cancer has metastasized or recurred.
“Most benign tumors aren't life-threatening. They can be left alone as they are unlikely to cause damage to any other areas of your body. In fact, many individuals carry benign tumors that don't require treatment, such as moles, throughout their lives.”
Benign tumors grow only in one place. They cannot spread or invade other parts of your body. Even so, they can be dangerous if they press on vital organs, such as your brain.