His appearance of a lump or abnormal swelling in the body is cause for exaggerated concern because of its relationship with cancerous tumors. But in reality, these inflammations can have different origins and consequences for health.
Typically, many of these lumps are classified as a cyst and sometimes as a tumor. Despite the fact that this second diagnosis is associated with cancer, not all tumors cause this disease and there are very important differences between cysts and malignant and benign tumors.
What is a tumor
A tumor is an abnormal enlargement of the tissues caused by an alteration. In a stricter sense, this inflammation is derived from an unusual growth in the number of cells. Tumors can be malignant or benign, depending on whether the cells that make it up are capable of invading other tissues and causing metastasis, as happens in the first type.
The discovery of a tumor is usually associated with a case of cancer, an incorrect relationship since not all tumors result in this serious disease. Only malignant tumors are considered cancerous, since cells that undergo disproportionate development have the ability to invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor.
By contrast, benign tumors are not usually life-threatening. The cells stay together and the tumor can be removed surgically. Generally, they do not reappear after the intervention.
What is a cyst
Cysts are sacs or sacs filled with fluid or semi-solid material that form in the body, surrounded by a membrane. Although some have an embryonic origin or, it is frequent that they appear spontaneously. They can be dangerous if they cause damage to nearby tissues and organs.
There are different types of cysts, the most frequent are sebaceous, benign and associated with hair follicles, ovarian cysts, which can be functional or pathological, and cysts caused by parasites, where the sac protects a developing organism that can give way to a disease, for example hydrated cysts.
The cysts are usually formed by infections or gland obstructions and can disappear spontaneously, by drainage or be removed with a small surgical intervention, depending on the type and where it is located.