Cancer

How a tumor forms:

The cells divide rapidly with very little non-dividing time for growth in between division. This results in a mass of abnormally growing cells called a tumor.

Benign tumors... are growths of abnormal cells contained in one place, usually within a membrane. They do not invade other parts of the body but can grow very large very quickly. If it causes pressure or damage to an organ, this can be life threatening. For example benign tumors in the brain can be very dangerous because there is no extra space for them to grow into.

Malignant tumor cells... can spread around the body, invading neighbouring healthy tissues. A malignant tumor is often referred to as cancer. The initial tumor may split up releasing small clumps of cells into the bloodstream. They circulate and are carried to different parts of the body where they may lodge in another organ. They then continue their uncontrolled division and form secondary tumors. Cancer cells not only divide quicker than normal…