The term tumor (of Latin tumere , to swell) indicates in medicine an increase in volume of a fabric, clearly delimited and of unspecified cause. It is also synonymous, in a more restricted direction, neoplasy term. There thus exist two definitions:

• In the broad sense, a development of fabric exceeding surface necessary, or a detectable hardening with the touch, like, for example, one enflement in the case of a Ignition, of a Cyst or an accumulation of saddles in the intestines (which one can often feel on the left side of the low belly before going to the saddle).
• In a more restricted direction, the body fabric neo-formation (neoplasy), which takes place following a disordered state of the cell multiplication and whose type (benign or malignant) is not yet determinable. A neoplasy can relate to any type of fabric. According to the localization of the tumor and function of affected fabric, it can lead to a dysfunction of the bodies and harm the whole of the organization, to even cause its death. The malignant tumors are the causes of the Cancer.

The tumors occur at all the living beings, including the plants. This article relates to however mainly the human tumors.

Classification

Type of growth

One distinguishes the benign, semi-malignant and malignant tumors:

• the benign tumors is tumors without gravity, i.e. not being able to give place to tumors girls (Métastases), as it is the case of the Verrue S or the beauty spots. The benign tumors affecting the skin nevertheless are often perceived like unaesthetic and can give place to an ablation. Another reason is that they can sometimes cause itchings when they are located at the level of the folds of the body.
• the semi-malignant tumors do not generate in general tumors girls, but they destroy nevertheless surrounding fabrics and develop to with it.
• the malignant tumors are often indicated under the term of Cancer. In addition to attacking surrounding fabrics, it produces tumors girls (metastases) which are propagated through blood or the Lymphe.

See also: Cancer

Fabric of origin

The name of the tumor is generally formed by adding the suffix - ome in the name of fabric. One speaks however about a épithélioma and not about a épithéliome.

Certain terms imply the cancerous nature of the lesion (Carcinome, Sarcome), others not (Adénome, Fibrome).

Consequences for the organization

The benign tumors develop in general slowly and do not harm the organization. Some of enters can nevertheless thereafter degenerate and transfer in malignant tumors. One can in particular quote the internal polyps (adenoma of the colon), which often degenerate into adenocarcinomists (sequence adenoma-carcinome). The producing adenomata of hormones can cause through those of the grave diseases.

The tumors, benign or malignant, can also involve the following complications:

• minor Obstruction of the hollow bodies (lumen) and compression of the adjacent bodies;
• ectopic Secretion of hormones (ACTH, parathormone, insulin).

Therapy

It depends on the type of the tumor: benign or malignant.

In the first case, its surgical ablation makes it possible to obtain a cure, in rule, without repetition. She is proposed only if the tumor is awkward for or the patient or if she involves a risk of compression of an adjacent structure.

The treatment of a cancer poses problems much more specific.

See also: Cancer#Principes of the treatment

See too

Internal bonds

• Anisocaryose

• Cancer
• Neo-formation

Simple: Tumor