The Similarities and Differences Between Cancer and Tumors

Contents:

Medical Video: Tumors vs. Lymphatic Cancers

Many people think that the tumor is cancerous, or vice versa. Yes, most of them are still confused and cannot distinguish cancer and tumors. Can a tumor cause cancer? What is the opposite? Or are cancer and tumors the same thing?

Cancer and tumors, similar but different

Not all tumors are cancer and vice versa. Basically, tumors are abnormal cell growth in certain parts of the body. Tumors occur when the body's cells divide and grow excessively.

If the cell growth only occurs in certain parts of the body and does not spread, then it is a benign tumor.While tumor cells that spread to other parts of the body are called malignant tumors or cancer.

Yes, cancer or malignant tumors are the same thing, namely abnormal cell growth and spread to other parts of the body. Both of them do look similar but differ in several ways.

The equation between cancer and tumor

Many people think that cancer and tumors are the same, because there are indeed some similarities in the nature of both. Following are the similarities of cancer and tumors:

  • Both of them can grow big enough. benign or cancerous tumors can grow to a very large size.
  • Cancer and tumors, both are equally dangerous. Although cancer is still more dangerous than benign tumors, do not underestimate benign tumors that grow. Some cases of benign tumors will be very dangerous, such as brain tumors that can destroy brain structures slowly.
  • Both can recur later. If the treatment of cancer and tumors is not done properly and there are still abnormal cells left in the body, it is not impossible that both will reappear in the same body part.

Difference between cancer and tumor

Although there are several similarities, cancer and tumors are still two different things. This can be seen from the differences that they have, namely:

  • Faster cancer growth. Cancer cells have very fast growth, while tumor cells do not.
  • Cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Unlike tumor cells that only grow and settle on one part of the body, cancer cells are able to spread rapidly to any part of the body.
  • Location of recurrence. In benign tumors, recurrence usually occurs again in the same body part as the previous case. But in cancer, recurrence can occur in any part of the body.
  • Different treatments. Benign tumors are usually removed by surgery and all the growing tumor tissue is taken. But in cases of cancer, the treatment is a little more complex. Cancer cells that are spread and grow rapidly must be turned off first with chemotherapy or radiation drugs. Then, the malignant tumor will only be operated on, removed the remnants of the cell.
The Similarities and Differences Between Cancer and Tumors
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