Tumor

Classification

We distinguish:

1) Benign tumors: these are localized, circumscribed tumors that do not generalize (without metastases). They simply push back the neighboring tissues without invading them and therefore have a limited volume. On the other hand, this variety of cells does not present morphological anomalies (monstrosity). These tumors do not usually cause pathological problems in the patient. Among the benign tumors, we can cite for example:

    Adenomas (such as prostate adenoma)
    Lipomas made up of fatty tissue
    Fibroids (hard tumors)
    The warts

2) Malignant tumors or cancers, whose specificity is the significant multiplication and modification of the morphology of cells, as well as their capacity to invade neighboring or more distant tissues (metastases). This type of tumor is therefore totally opposed to benign tumors: in fact, they are likely to have a very large volume and are poorly defined. On the other hand, malignant tumors tend to recur frequently after their ablation. Among cancerous tumors, we distinguish primary tumors and secondary tumors which are metastases.

The entire organism is susceptible to giving rise to a tumor process (non-exhaustive list):

Carcinoid tumor is a rare tumor, of a cancerous nature, consisting of cells that multiply, also having hormonal capacities and located most often at the end of the appendix (diverticulum of the terminal portion of the caecum: initial segment of the large intestine), sometimes of the jejunum or ileum (segments of the small intestine) during intestinal carcinoid. One new case is described for 100 people per year in France and occurs mainly in women but at all ages. Approximately 000% of these tumors affect the digestive system and preferentially the intestines. However, it is necessary to mention the remaining 80 to 10% which concern the lungs, biliary tract, ovaries, bronchi, rectum and pancreas. The bronchial localization (bronchial epistome) does not contain granulation (small grains found in the cells) argentaffin (highlighted by a silver-based stain).

The brown tumor corresponds to a rounded cavity most often observed in skeletal tissue and more specifically in long bones. This type of tumor is the site of a very significant proliferation of large volume (giant) cells, these are osteoclasts. These cells are embedded in tissue that has lost all elasticity (fibrous tissue). Brown tumors are observed, among other things, during primary hyperparathyroidism (excess secretion of parathyroid hormone.

Benign bone tumors have a favorable prognosis and arise either from cells usually present in skeletal tissue or from dysfunction (poor functioning) and abnormalities in the development of skeletal tissue (bone dystrophy, bone cyst). Sometimes benign bone tumors are the site of sarcomatous degeneration which then becomes locally aggressive. This local validity results in destruction of skeletal tissue. On the other hand, in some patients, recurrence is observed despite ablation (after removal) of the tumor. Osteoma, exostosis, chondroma, solitary bone cyst, chromomyxoid fibroma, aneurysmal cyst and myeloplaxous tumor are benign bone tumors.

Brain tumor whose development takes place in the brain is either a secondary tumor to a distant cancer (metastasis) such as lung cancer essentially, or a primary tumor which develops at the level of the meninges (meningiomas), glia (glioblastomas) or embryonic outlines (craniopharyngiomas) or a cerebral lymphoma generally appearing during AIDS.

Endocrine tumors of the pancreas are either benign or malignant. They almost always cause hormonal hypersecretion (exaggerated secretion). These include gastrinoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma and vipoma, rare diseases that generally require surgical removal.

Mediastinal tumor which is the area between the two lungs including the heart and the great vessels among others concerns the organs contained in this anatomical area. Mediastinal tumors are malignant or benign but, given the narrowness of the mediastinum they cause compression of the surrounding tissues despite the fact that they are benign or malignant. Superior vena cava syndrome is one of the mediastinal tumors.

A phyllodes tumor is a tumor of the mammary gland (breast) of women who have reached adulthood. This type of tumor is likely to present as an extremely large swelling. There are three grades of phyllodes tumor:
Grade 1 close to adenofibroma, benign in nature
Grade 2 with uncertain prognosis
Corresponding grade 3 or phyllodes sarcoma (breast cancer).

Myeloplastic tumor is a tumor occurring in young adults, affecting the ends of long bones. This type of tumor is characterized by a deformation of the cortex (peripheral layer) of the bone. It is a radiolucent tumor (not visible on X-rays). It is well-defined and contains small bony structures in the form of small cells that are separated by septa that end up deforming the skeletal tissue where the myeloplastic tumor resides. It is not truly a malignant tumor but neither is it a benign tumor. A biopsy (taking a sample of bone tissue) can give an idea of ​​the malignancy of this type of tumor. Its prognosis is generally benign but there is local malignancy with a possibility of recurrence even after ablation in one in three patients.

Breast tumor is either malignant or benign. Thanks to mammography it is possible to tell the difference. Biopsy, when mammography is insufficient, thanks to a surgical sample, allows a diagnosis of malignancy to be made. The main benign tumors likely to degenerate into cancer, of the mammary gland which develop mainly in women who menstruate after the age of 50 and which can be palpated by the woman herself are (non-exhaustive list):

• Fibroadenoma
• The cyst
• Fibroids
• Mastodynia (painful breast tension)
• Mastosis

Urethral tumors which result in dysuria (difficulty urinating), hemospermia (presence of blood in the semen) or bleeding from the urethra (the tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) are generally malignant (cancer of the urinary excretory tract) in men but benign in children. In children, it is most often a benign cyst or polyp. Also worth mentioning are malignant tumors such as epithelioma in adults and sarcoma in girls, which are relatively rare.

Rock tumors (bone part that forms the internal part of the temporal bone: bone located on each side of the skull) also called ear tumors correspond to a newly formed formation that develops at the expense of the petrous bone and sometimes the anatomical structures of the ear that pass through this bone. These tumors cause symptoms (appearance of clinical signs) such as ringing in the ears, unilateral deafness (occurring on this side), balance disorders, facial paralysis. Most often it is a benign tumor:

• acoustic neuroma
• Tympanojugular chemodectoma
• Meningioma
• Cholesteatoma of the ear

Thanks to additional examinations (MRI, scanner) it is possible to make a precise diagnosis for these tumors which are rarely malignant. Their treatment requires surgical intervention. Their evolution is sometimes complicated by after-effects such as deafness, balance disorders, facial paralysis.

Primary malignant cardiac tumors are rare (These are essentially metastases, i.e. secondary tumors originally developing in another organ. However, the primary cardiac tumor is generally benign. It may be a polypoid tumor or myxoma or tumors of the bundle of His.

Granulosa cell tumor is a rare ovarian tumor since it corresponds to approximately 5% of ovarian tumors. Its treatment requires surgical intervention.

Brook's adenoid cystic epithelioma or Brook's tumor, studied by the British Henri Brooke in 1892 (in English Brooke's tumors) is a small tumor developing at the level of the pilosebaceous follicles or sweat glands (secreting sweat). Hair follicles are tiny pockets crossing the surface of the epidermis (superficial layer of the skin), the dermis (deep part of the skin), the hypodermis (tissue located under the dermis) and containing in its center a hair or a hair. These tumors constitute small papules of white coloring tending to yellow, visible at the level of the face (face) mainly on the lower eyelids. Their evolution is stable for many years. They are nevertheless likely to transform into basal cell epithelioma (symmetrical sebaceous adenoma of the face). Brooke's tumor should not be confused with Brooks syndrome, which is characterized by the onset of asthma due to a single inhalation of a gas that is irritating due to its high concentration.

Mixed salivary tumor Also called pleiomorphic adenoma, it is a benign tumor that develops at the expense of the connective tissue that makes up the salivary glands. The parotid glands are mainly affected. However, other salivary glands such as the gingivo-buccal or the submaxillary are sometimes affected by this type of tumor. Their development is slow but varies from person to person. Sometimes they have a certain tendency to recur, especially if their excision (removal) is insufficient.

White swelling is a joint inflammation (arthritis) caused by chronic tuberculosis infection. It is so named because of the swelling (tumefaction) of the joints.
tissues. The white tumor is characterized by the absence of inflammation and the white coloring of the skin.

Malignant pleural tumors which include mesothelioma and metastases are generally revealed by malignant pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura which is the membrane covering and protecting the lungs). They are highlighted by chest CT scan. It is most often a malignant tumor outside the lipoma, the diagnosis of which is easy thanks to its characteristic appearance and the presence of fat with a high density. Doege-Potter syndrome, characterized by the presence of episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), indicates the occurrence of a fibroid whose volume is sometimes enormous, requiring surgical intervention. The evolution of this type of tumor is good after excision.

Let us also mention, without going into detail:

Thymoma which is a tumor of the thymus.
Teratoma which is a germ cell tumor.
Pheochromocytoma which is an endocrine (hormonal) tumor.
Pituitary tumor which is an adenoma (benign tumor affecting a gland). It can also be a craniopharyngioma
Dermoid tumor
Abrikossoff's tumor
Cirrhoid tumor (cirrhoid aneurysm)