Did you know that the vast majority of tumors are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. In fact, some estimates suggest that about nine out of ten tumors are benign.
Benign – or noncancerous tumors in general are usually not life threatening, but they do need to be monitored, and sometimes treated to avoid any complications, and some can because become cancerous.
What is a Benign Tumor? The Basics
A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells. When it’s benign, it tends to grow slowly, does not invade surrounding tissue and does not spread to other parts of the body, according to Journal of the American Medical Association Oncology.
Some common examples of benign tumors include:
- Fibroids: Tumors that grow in the connective tissue found in any organ. They are particularly common in the uterus.
- Hemangiomas: Tumors that grow in the blood vessels.
- Lipomas: Fatty tumors
- Neuromas: Benign brain tumors that grow within the nerves. But they can also be found almost anywhere in the body.
- Schwannomas: Neuromas that develop on the nerve sheaths of the peripheral nervous system
- Osteomas: Growths of new bones over old bones.
- Nevi: These are commonly known as moles and are the most common noncancerous growths on the skin.
- Meningiomas: Benign tumors that develop in the meninges or membrane around the brain or spinal cord.
While researchers aren’t exactly sure why benign tumors develop, some potential reasons may include inflammation or infection, diet, injury or local trauma, stress, genetics and environmental factors.
Treatments for Benign Tumors
Benign tumors typically are not problematic. In many cases doctors just monitor them for changes over time. Some may never need treatment.
But others can also develop into malignant tumors – like in the case of colon polyps. And that’s why these polyps are removed during a colonoscopy. Even between 1% and 3% of meningiomas can become malignant.
Also, as benign tumors grow, they can compress internal structures or nerves and start causing pain or medical issues. In these cases, they may need to be treated.
Treatments can include medications, surgery or radiation.
Drug therapy, like medicated creams can help treat hemangiomas. Steroids can also shrink some benign tumors if they’re causing pressure or pain. However, sometimes surgical intervention is needed. And other times patients turn to radiation to shrink or kill the tumor.
CyberKnife for Benign Tumors
If you have a benign tumor that needs radiation or if you want an alternative to surgery for a benign tumor, talk to your doctor about CyberKnife, a form of external beam stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
You can also seek a second opinion at a center specializing in CyberKnife like the
CyberKnife Center of Miami – the premiere radiation treatment center in South Florida
CyberKnife is among the most precise forms of radiation available today. It delivers high-dose radiation directly to the tumor, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Patients require fewer treatments than with traditional radiation, and side effects can be minimized.
CyberKnife also tracks a tumor in real time
“Before delivering the radiation beam, the CyberKnife System is the only device that verifies the exact tumor position then adjusts the robot to precisely target the tumor. This helps to ensure radiation is delivered to where the tumor is, not to where it was a second before,” according to Accuray, the maker of CyberKnife.
This also minimizes the amount of healthy tissue exposed to radiation
CyberKnife Miami Treats Benign Tumors
CyberKnife Miami often treats a lot of patients with benign tumors especially acoustic neuromas, vestibular schwannomas, meningiomas and benign pituitary tumors.
“CyberKnife is the most refined way to target a tumor and minimize the dose to normal tissue,” says Dr. Mark Pomper, medical director of CyberKnife Miami and board-certified radiation oncologist.
We understand patients have choices, and that sometimes there are different treatments options for the same problem. Our experienced staff is here to guide our patients and provide second opinions when needed.
If you would like to find out more about treatment for benign tumors with CyberKnife, call us now at 305-279-2900 or go to our website now for more information www.cyberknifemiami.com.