Question

What distinguishes a benign tumor from a malignant tumor?

a) Size and location
b) Invasion into surrounding tissues
c) Rate of cell division
d) Presence of mutations
e) All of the above

Answer 1

A benign tumor does not invade surrounding tissues and is non-cancerous, while a malignant tumor is cancerous, can invade neighboring tissues, and has the potential to spread throughout the body (metastasis).

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary distinction between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor is their behavior and potential threat to health. Benign tumors are non-cancerous growths that remain localized and generally do not harm health. They are typically slow-growing, do not invade surrounding tissues, and can often be removed with minimal complications. On the other hand, malignant tumors are cancerous and characterized by uncontrolled growth, the ability to invade neighboring tissues, and the potential to spread throughout the body (metastasis).

Malignant tumors are typically associated with DNA mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division. Cells from these tumors can break away and travel through the bloodstream to form new tumors in other parts of the body, a process that is potentially life-threatening. This ability to invade and establish new tumors is a key feature distinguishing malignant from benign tumors.