Final answer:
Benign tumors are non-invasive and remain confined to their original location, whereas malignant tumors are invasive, can damage neighboring tissues, and may spread to other parts of the body through metastasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells of a benign tumor remain confined to their original site and generally do not pose a threat to health because they do not invade neighboring tissues or spread to distant sites. In contrast, cells from a malignant tumor, which is cancerous, may grow beyond the boundaries of the tumor, invading surrounding tissues and potentially spreading to other parts of the body through a process called metastasis. Malignant tumors are characterized by their ability to metastasize, meaning that cancer cells can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form new tumors in other locations.
Benign tumors are often removed surgically for comfort or because they have the potential to become cancerous, even though they are not immediately harmful. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, require more aggressive treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, because of their invasive nature and potential to cause significant harm.