TUMOR

Causes

In general, tumors appear to occur when there is a problem with the dividing of cells in
the body. Typically, the division of cells in the body is strictly controlled. New cells are
created to replace older ones or to perform new functions. Cells that are damaged or no
longer needed die to make room for healthy replacements.

If the balance of cell division and death is disturbed, a tumor may form.

Problems with the body's immune system can lead to tumors. Tobacco causes more
deaths from cancer than any other environmental substance. Other causes include:

• Benzene and other chemicals and toxins

• Drinking excess alcohol
• Excessive sunlight exposure
• Genetic problems
• Inactivity (sedentary lifestyle)
• Obesity
• Radiation

Certain viruses can play a role in the development of tumors, such as cervical cancer
(human papillomavirus) and hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatitis B virus).

Some tumors are more common in one gender than the other. Some are more common
among children or the elderly. Others vary with diet, environment, and your family
history.

Back to TopSymptoms

Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung tumors may
cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, while tumors of the colon can cause
weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and blood in the stool.

Some tumors produce no symptoms, but symptoms that may occur with tumors include:

• Chills
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Malaise
• Night sweats
• Weight loss

Back to TopExams and Tests

Like the symptoms, the signs of tumors vary based on their site and type.
When a tumor is found, a biopsy is performed to determine if the tumor is noncancerous
(benign) or cancerous (malignant). Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy
may be a simple procedure or a serious operation.

Most patients with tumors undergo CT scans or MRI to determine the exact location of
the tumor and how far it has spread. More recently, positron emission tomography (PET)
scans have been used to find certain tumor types.

Other tests include:

• Biopsy of the tumor

• Blood chemistries
• Bone marrow biopsy (most often for lymphoma or leukemia)
• Chest x-ray
• Complete blood count (CBC)

Back to TopTreatment

Treatment also varies based on the type of tumor, whether it is benign or malignant, and
its location. If the tumor is benign (meaning it has no potential to spread) and is located in
a "safe" area where it will not cause symptoms or affect the function of the organ,
sometimes no treatment is needed.

Sometimes benign tumors may be removed for cosmetic reasons, however. Benign
tumors of the brain may be removed because of their location or harmful effect on the
surrounding normal brain tissue.

If a tumor is malignant, treatments include:

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• A combination of these methods

If the cancer is in one location, the goal of treatment is usually to remove the tumor with
surgery. If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be
removed. If all of the cancer cannot be removed with surgery, the options for treatment
include radiation and chemotherapy, or both. Some patients require a combination of
surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

However, lymphoma is rarely treated with surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
are most often used for treating lymphoma.