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Benign Tumors

From About.com

Updated: March 14, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Definition: A mass of non-cancerous cells that have formed due to excessive cell division. These tumors grow slowly and do not travel.

Benign tumors are not typically harmful. However, if the tumor becomes very large, its weight and size can put pressure on nearby blood vessels, nerves, or organs.

The opposite of a benign tumor is a malignant tumor.

Also Known As: non-cancerous, non-malignant
Common Misspellings: benin, benine, bennine, bening
Examples: Benign mesothelioma is a noncancerous tumor of the pleura.

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