Final answer:
The overgrowth of normal tissues in an abnormal location, like endometriosis, differs from cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled, invasive, and sometimes metastatic cell growth. Benign tumors, while non-cancerous and not invasive, can still cause issues necessitating removal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The overgrowth of normal tissues in a location where they are not typically found likely refers to a condition like endometriosis, which occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. This is not to be confused with cancer, which involves uncontrolled cell growth with the potential for invasion and metastasis. In contrast, benign tumors, like fibroids and moles, do not invade other tissues or spread but can still cause discomfort or other issues leading to their removal.
Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, potential to invade neighboring tissues, and sometimes, the ability to metastasize to distant body parts. The process begins when a single mutated cell becomes a tumor's growth point, and the mass of cells cloned from the original one continues dividing abnormally. If cancer is not detected and treated early, it can severely impact health by depleting normal organs of their blood supply and nutrients, and by forming new tumors throughout the body.
Benign tumors are non-cancerous growths that tend to grow slowly and remain localized. They do not invade nearby tissues or metastasize; however, they can sometimes become problematic — either through size, location, or potential risk of becoming cancerous — leading to surgical removal.