If you have a growth anywhere on or in your body, you need to know if it is a cyst or a tumor. And, the only way to determine which type of growth you have is to have a surgeon perform a diagnosis. Your Glendora General Surgeon can take a biopsy from the growth site and send it to a laboratory where it will be examined by a pathologist. The sample can be taken in the surgeon’s office.
Cysts
While there are exceptions, the majority of cysts are noncancerous. A cyst is the formation of a sac that contains tissues filled with fluids or air. They can develop anywhere on the body, feel tender when touched, and, depending on the location, they can easily be moved. Cysts can even form on soft tissue areas and on bones. Typical locations where cysts form are on the breast, the outer layer of the skin, in the liver, on the scalp, in the kidneys, and on the ovaries.
Tumors
The three major types of tumors are benign, premalignant, and malignant, and they can grow just about anywhere on and in the body. Tumors are solid tissue masses that form and grow quickly. They are firm in texture and, depending on their locations, can be painful when touched.
Benign tumors are not cancerous, do not change in shape, and they do not spread to other parts of the body. It is possible to have a painful benign tumor if it is large enough to press against blood vessels or nerves or push against or into organs. While your tumor may be diagnosed as non-cancerous, there is the possibility of it becoming premalignant or malignant in the future. If your tumor is causing pain or discomfort, your surgeon will discuss having the tumor removed surgically.
Premalignant tumors are tumors that may or may not have spread beyond the original sites and have not yet turned cancerous, but are displaying signs of acquiring cancerous properties. Your surgeon will talk with you about whether to monitor the tumor or to have it removed before it becomes malignant.
Malignant tumors are tumors that are cancerous. The tumors can grow, change the tissue complexion of the masses, and spread to other areas of the body. If a biopsy determines that your tumor is malignant, and depending on where the tumor is located, your surgeon will discuss having the tumor removed.
