What are benign soft tissue tumors?

What are benign soft tissue tumors?

Benign soft tissue tumors are noncancerous tumors arising from the musculoskeletal system and are 100 times more common than their sarcoma (cancerous) counterparts. These tumors arise from connective tissue including fat, muscle, fibrous tissue, nerves and vascular tissue.

What is the most common benign soft tissue tumor?

Lipomas are the most common benign soft tissue tumor. Most are found under the skin, but they can develop anywhere in the body. Many lipomas are present for years and inactive, but those that are growing lesions and are probably the most commonly resected soft tissue benign tumor.

Should benign bone tumors be removed?

Most benign tumors respond well to surgical removal. In many cases, the likelihood that the tumor will come back is low — usually less than 5%. Some benign bone tumors, like giant cell tumors of bone, have a higher rate of return, but there are good methods to treat these tumors if they do come back.

What causes benign soft tissue tumors?

Causes. The cause of most soft tissue tumors is not known. Evidence suggests that some genetic disorders and mutations predispose people to benign and cancerous soft tissue tumors. Exposure to radiation has a strong association with the development of a sarcoma (cancerous growth).

Can a benign bone tumor cause pain?

Benign tumors may be painless, but often they cause bone pain. The pain can be severe. Pain may occur when at rest or at night and tends to progressively worsen. (See also Overview of Bone Tumors.

How common are benign bone tumors?

Primary benign bone tumors are uncommon and most often affect children and young adults. They typically are detected incidentally on imaging, though some patients present with pain, swelling, or other symptoms.

What is the treatment for benign tumors?

Surgery. Surgery is the main treatment for non-cancerous brain tumours. The aim is to remove as much of the tumour as safely as possible without damaging the surrounding brain tissue. In most cases, a procedure called a craniotomy will be performed.

What health problems do benign tumors cause?

These tumors may cause no symptoms, but if they grow to be large, or if they press on the brain or spinal column, they can cause symptoms. These symptoms include headache, seizure, weakness on one side, and vision problems. Rarely, these tumors can turn cancerous.

Does benign tumors need chemotherapy?

When a benign tumor requires treatment, it isn’t too different from the treatment of a malignant or cancerous tumor. It may be radiation therapy, radiosurgery for benign tumors located in the skull base, surgery or chemotherapy.