A benign tumor is not a malignant tumor, which is cancer. It does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body the way cancer can. In most cases, the outlook with benign tumors is very good. But benign tumors can be serious if they press on vital structures such as blood vessels or nerves.

What is inside a benign tumor?

It is caused by cells dividing more than normal or not dying when they should. Tumors can be classified as benign or malignant. Benign Tumors. Benign tumors are those that stay in their primary location without invading other sites of the body. They do not spread to local structures or to distant parts of the body.

What are characteristics of benign tumors?

A benign neoplasm looks a lot like the tissue with normal cells from which it originated, and has a slow growth rate. Benign neoplasms do not invade surrounding tissues and they do not metastasize.