Two General Types of Tumors

Two General Types of Tumors Tumors represent an abnormal multiplication and growth of cells in the body. There are two general types of tumors. Non-Cancerous or benign tumors are usually harmless and grow at a slow rate. On the other hand, cancerous or malignant tumors affect the health and can spread to various parts of the body. This article will discuss in detail the differences between those two general types of tumors, how they are detected and the chances of recovery for both types.

Two General Types of Tumors
1. Benign Tumors
A benign tumor is a slow-growing, usually harmless mass that does not directly affect one’s health. Sometimes, they can grow for years without causing any problem to the individual. However, some benign tumors can grow large enough to press on other tissues and cause complications. Their growth may also interfere with the function of other nearby tissues, such as blood vessels, leading to life threatening conditions. Their size can also cause the body to become disfigured, and they may be removed for cosmetic reasons. If successfully removed, benign tumors do not usually grow back or cause more problems.

2. Malignant Tumors
On the other hand, a malignant tumor grows faster and can invade surrounding tissues, causing serious health problems. The abnormal cells may spread or metastasize to other parts of the body and cause destruction of normal cells. Malignant tumors are also known as cancerous masses or cancer, and can cause death.

Malignant tumors are usually treated by a combination of surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation, and other methods. The choice of treatment depends on various factors such as the size of the tumor, the location, organs affected, and general health of the individual. Some tumors, depending on the stage and type of tumor, respond to treatment, leading to restoration of one’s health and normal life span. However, other tumors are aggressive and are not successfully treated, leading to death.

Watch a video for more information:

How to Detect
There are various ways to detect tumors and to determine whether they are malignant or benign.

After taking a complete medical history and physical examination, doctors may ask for imaging exams such as x-ray, CT (computed tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Taking a sample of the tumor cells through a biopsy helps in determining the type of tumor. Other tests, such as blood tests may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Chances of Recovery
The outlook or prognosis for a tumor depends on various factors as well. Benign tumors that do not cause compression of vital tissues are usually easily treated by surgical removal, which leads to complete healing. On the other hand, the chances for recovery from malignant tumors depend on the type of tumor and the stage at the time of diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Although some cancerous tumors grow slowly, some are more aggressive, invading and spreading to nearby tissues as well as distant organs. This can cause serious disease and chances of recovery may be low.

Tumor Marker for Breast Cancer

Tumor Marker for Breast Cancer

Tumor marker refers to a substance that is present in an individual’s urine, blood or the tumor itself. Tumor marker is secreted either by the body or by the tumor in the presence of cancer. You may be recommended to have tumor markers tested at various stages of cancer to aid in the diagnosis and treatment. In combination with other medical tests, a test done to measure tumor marker is quite helpful in providing useful information regarding the cancer and its treatment. For those who are concerned, it helps to know what these tumor markers mean and which tumor marker test to choose for a particular Breast Cancer.

How Can We Use Tumor Marker for Breast Cancer?
Tumor markers for breast cancer are used in the following ways:

• To help in the planning of treatment in one of the following scenarios: to determine whether the cancer in a patient has a favorable prognosis or not (what is the behavior of the cancer and the patient’s recovery chances) and whether the cancer will require additional treatment or not; to predict the success of a specific treatment in a patient.
• To help in keeping a check on how a patient is recovering over time.
• To help in determining the risk of developing cancer.
• To help in detecting cancer in its early stage when there are no signs or symptoms of cancer present.

What Are Common Tumor Markers for Breast Cancer?
The common tumor markers used for breast cancer are: ER and PR, HER2, CA 15-3, CA 27.29 and CEA, uPA, PAI-1 and oncotype DX.

1. PR and ER (Progesterone receptor and Estrogen receptor)
ER and/or PR positive breast cancer cells require estrogen and/or progesterone for their growth. ER and PR testing is done to determine whether the cancer requires hormone therapy such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex) for treatment.

2. HER2 (Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)
This is a protein that is present in large quantities in almost 20-25% of breast cancer cases. To stop the growth of cancer cells anti-HER2 treatment is given which blocks HER2. HER2 tests help the physician to determine whether the cancer requires anti-HER2 treatment such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) or not.

3. CA 15-3 (Cancer antigen 15-3), CA 27.29 (cancer antigen 27.29) and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)
These are tumor markers that are present in almost 50-90% of patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer. However, high levels may indicate other condition apart from cancer. These tests are also monitored to determine an early recurrence after initial treatment of the primary tumor. It is also done to determine the success of cancer treatment.

4. uPA (Urokinase plasminogen activator) and PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor)
These tumor markers are present in high amounts in aggressive forms of cancer or cancers which grow very fast. These tests require specific methods to store and save the tissue for testing and are not as common as other tumor marker tests. Test for these tumor markers is done to determine whether chemotherapy is required after surgery in patients having node-negative (meaning having no cancer found in lymph nodes) breast cancer.

5. Oncotype DX
This test is the measurement of multiple genes at one time to determine the risk of recurrence of breast cancer in patients who have early-stage, ER positive and node-negative breast cancer. Patients who have a low recurrence score usually require treatment with only hormone therapy and they can avoid chemotherapy.

What does Tumor Marker Tests for Different Breast Cancer Mean to You?
Tests for tumor markers help in both planning and monitoring cancer treatment and in determining the prognosis of cancer. The tumor markers mentioned above are helpful in predicting the response to particular therapy and/or also in finding the best treatment for your cancer.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Doctor?
You should ask your doctor the following questions to know more about tumor markers:

• What tumor markers tests are recommended by your doctor? Which tests have already been done?
• What is the method to perform these tests?
• How often will these tests be performed?
• Do the tests need to be done in a laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP)?
• What are the test results and how will they affect your treatment?
• What medicines or health conditions may interfere with these tests?

What Are Recommended Tumor Marker Tests for Different Breast Cancer?

Type of Breast Cancer	Recommended Tumor Marker Tests
Newly diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)	No tumor marker tests are recommended as DCIS implies that the cancer is confined to the ducts of the breast and is non-invasive in nature.
Newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer	PR and ER tests to aid in the prediction of response to hormone therapy post surgery. HER2 test to aid in the prediction of response to trastuzumab and other anti-HER2 therapies and certain forms of chemotherapy.
Node-negative breast cancer	uPA and PAI-1 tests to determine the prognosis of cancer. Patients with negative uPA and PAI-1 have excellent prognosis and may not require chemotherapy.
Node-negative breast cancer that is ER positive and/or PR positive	Oncotype DX test to identify the patients who will require only tamoxifen and can avoid chemotherapy.
Metastatic breast cancer	ER and PR tests to determine the response to hormone therapy. HER2 test to determine the response to trastuzumab and other anti-HER2 treatments. CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 to monitor treatment; these tests should be used in combination with health history of patient, a complete physical examination, and diagnostic imaging tests including x-ray, CT scan and/or MRI. CEA to monitor treatment; this test should also be used in combination with health history of patient, a complete physical examination and diagnostic imaging tests.
Recurrent breast cancer	HER2 test to determine the response to trastuzumab and other anti-HER2 treatments and indicate which specific chemotherapy need to be used.

Two General Types of Tumors

Two General Types of Tumors

Tumors represent an abnormal multiplication and growth of cells in the body. There are two general types of tumors. Non-Cancerous or benign tumors are usually harmless and grow at a slow rate. On the other hand, cancerous or malignant tumors affect the health and can spread to various parts of the body. This article will discuss in detail the differences between those two general types of tumors, how they are detected and the chances of recovery for both types.

Two General Types of Tumors
1. Benign Tumors
A benign tumor is a slow-growing, usually harmless mass that does not directly affect one’s health. Sometimes, they can grow for years without causing any problem to the individual. However, some benign tumors can grow large enough to press on other tissues and cause complications. Their growth may also interfere with the function of other nearby tissues, such as blood vessels, leading to life threatening conditions. Their size can also cause the body to become disfigured, and they may be removed for cosmetic reasons. If successfully removed, benign tumors do not usually grow back or cause more problems.

2. Malignant Tumors
On the other hand, a malignant tumor grows faster and can invade surrounding tissues, causing serious health problems. The abnormal cells may spread or metastasize to other parts of the body and cause destruction of normal cells. Malignant tumors are also known as cancerous masses or cancer, and can cause death.

Malignant tumors are usually treated by a combination of surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation, and other methods. The choice of treatment depends on various factors such as the size of the tumor, the location, organs affected, and general health of the individual. Some tumors, depending on the stage and type of tumor, respond to treatment, leading to restoration of one’s health and normal life span. However, other tumors are aggressive and are not successfully treated, leading to death.

Watch a video for more information:

How to Detect
There are various ways to detect tumors and to determine whether they are malignant or benign.

After taking a complete medical history and physical examination, doctors may ask for imaging exams such as x-ray, CT (computed tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and PET (positron emission tomography) scan. Taking a sample of the tumor cells through a biopsy helps in determining the type of tumor. Other tests, such as blood tests may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Chances of Recovery
The outlook or prognosis for a tumor depends on various factors as well. Benign tumors that do not cause compression of vital tissues are usually easily treated by surgical removal, which leads to complete healing. On the other hand, the chances for recovery from malignant tumors depend on the type of tumor and the stage at the time of diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Although some cancerous tumors grow slowly, some are more aggressive, invading and spreading to nearby tissues as well as distant organs. This can cause serious disease and chances of recovery may be low.

Pituitary Gland Tumor: Symptoms and Treatments

Pituitary Gland Tumor: Symptoms and Treatments

Carcinoma or adenoma is the name given to the tumors that form in the pituitary gland. Pituitary Adenomas account for only 10% of primary brain tumors and are usually slow-growing masses that are mostly benign in nature. The potentially dangerous malignant types of pituitary adenomas that rarely occur are called pituitary carcinomas.

The pituitary’s front two-third area is where the bulk of the pituitary adenomas usually grow. “Non-secreting” and “secreting” are the two classifications of such tumors. High production of hormones is associated with a “secreting tumor”. The type (s) of hormones produced by a pituitary gland tumoris the factor on which further classification of these tumors is made.

Signs and Symptoms of Pituitary Gland Tumor
Patients with pituitary tumors sometimes don’t experience any symptoms at all or have them because of an illness unrelated to the tumor. Some of the signs and symptoms that a person suffering from a pituitary gland tumor might encounter are:

• Headaches


• Eye-sight issues


• Menstrual cycle changes in women


• Male impotence or erectile dysfunction because of hormonal changes


• Infertility


• Disproportionate breast milk production


• Cushing’s syndrome due to ACTH overproduction


• Acromegaly because of excess growth hormone production


• Unexplained tiredness


• Mood swings


• Impatience

Pituitary tumor symptoms manifest themselves in the following three ways:

Overproduction of Hormones

• Growth hormone:In minors, it can produce Gigantism if the bone plates haven’t closed while in adults, the overproduction of growth hormones can lead to acromegaly.


• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): Overproduction of TSH leads to overproduction of thyroid hormone that can cause Heart Disease, Weight Loss and thinning of skin.


• Prolactin:Overproduction of prolactin can lead to impotence, infertility, Osteoporosis, irregularities in menstrual cycle and unusual breast milk secretion.


• Adrenocorticotropic hormone:Overproduction of this hormone results in brittle bones, weight gain, easy bruising, Stretch Marks on skin and emotional changes.


• Gonadotropins (FSH and LH):Too much of these hormones can rarely cause irregularities in menstrual cycle and infertility.

Pressure on Pituitary Gland Resulting In Less Production of Hormones

• Growth hormone:Low growth hormone causes weak bones, irritability, inappropriate muscle strength and late growth in children.


• TSH:Weight gain, low energy, fatigue and Constipation are some symptoms of low TSH.


• Prolactin:Less prolactin results in inability of a new mother to breastfeed her baby.


• Adrenocorticotropic hormone:Low levels of this hormone cause upset stomach, low energy, fatigue and low Blood Pressure and blood sugar.


• Gonadotropins (FSH and LH):Low FSH and LH leads to decreased sex drive and infertility.

Pressure on Optic Nerves Resulting In Double Vision or Partial or Permanent Loss of Sight
Causes of Pituitary Gland Tumor
The reason for the creation of a pituitary gland tumor remains a mystery. The pituitary gland lies at the bottom of your brain. It is a bean-shaped gland which is small in size but impacts almost every part of the body. Regulation of functions like reproduction, growth and blood pressure is done by the hormones this gland produces. Although some cases of pituitary gland tumors are hereditary but most of them aren’t. Scientists believe that development of pituitary tumors is linked to genetic alternations.

Diagnosis of Pituitary Gland Tumor
The following are some of the tests that your doctor might conduct when diagnosing a pituitary gland tumor.

• Blood and urine tests. Deficiency or excess of hormones can be detected by testing the samples of your urine and blood.


• Brain imaging.The size and location of the pituitary tumor can be ascertained by the doctor through an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computerized Tomography) scan of the brain.


• Vision testing.Impairment of peripheral vision or eyesight caused by pituitary tumor growth can be determined by vision testing.

Visiting an endocrinologist for further testing is usually recommended by the doctor.

Treatments for Pituitary Gland Tumor
1. Active Surveillance
People who do not experience any kind of pituitary gland tumor symptoms and have normally functioning hormones can avail the active surveillance treatment. Such form of treatment can also be referred to as watchful waiting in which the patient is closely monitored and regular tests are conducted to watch for any sign of tumor growth. Treatment begins after sign appear.

2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
If the pituitary gland is not producing enough hormones because of the pituitary tumor, then hormone replacement therapy can become inevitable. Since your body requires the hormones, they would have to be replaced from elsewhere. The hormones that would need replacing include adrenal and thyroid hormones, estrogen in women and testosterone in men and growth hormones.

3. Drug Therapy
There are drugs available that can help if your pituitary tumor is causing the gland to produce excess hormones. Tumors that cause overproduction of growth hormones can be treated by Somavert (pegvisomant) or Sandostatin (octreotide) while Dostinex (cabergoline) and Parlodel (bromocriptine) are excellent drugs for those tumors that secrete prolactin. Pituitary tumors secreting thyroid-stimulating hormone can be treated by Octreotide too.

Research on drugs that are suitable for treating pituitary tumors is still ongoing. Therefore, it is best to ask your doctor regarding the medications prescribed to, their function and the possible harmful effects that they might have.

4. Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment method suggested for a pituitary gland tumor which helps in complete removal of the tumor successfully. It involves removal of the tumor and the tissues present around it via an operation. The trans sphenoidal route is used for performing the surgery in over 95% of the cases while opening of the skull or craniotomy is required in other cases. Surgery through the trans sphenoidal route involves entry through the nasal passage and then going along the septum through the sphenoid sinus cavity, which lies in the back of the throat to reach the pituitary gland which is located behind it. Craniotomies are performed using an endoscope or a microscope or both. If performed by an experienced and skilled surgeon, both surgeries are equally effective and safe.

5. Radiation Therapy
The use of x-rays for destroying the cells of the tumor is known as radiation therapy. Radiation oncologist is the name given to the doctor who specializes in performing radiation therapy to tumor patients. External-beam radiation therapy is the most common form of radiation treatment in which the body receives the radiation from a machine from the outside. Radiation therapy is usually given over a set of period time and consists of a number of treatments.

Upset stomach, fatigue and skin reactions are some of the side-effects of radiation therapy. The end of the treatment spells the end of most of these side-effects. Short-term memory changes and vision issues might also develop depending on the direction of the radiation therapy. However, advances in technology have reduced the risk of such problems. Since the pituitary gland might lose its ability to produce hormones because of radiation therapy, you might require HRT.