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Tumor
Alternative Names: Mass; Neoplasm Treatment: 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 disturb the proper functioning 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. Text Continues Below If a tumor is malignant, treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods. If the cancer is confined to one location, the goal of treatment is usually surgical removal of the tumor and cure. 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. In contrast, lymphoma is rarely treated with surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are most often used for treating lymphoma. Support Groups: The diagnosis of cancer often causes a lot of anxiety and can affect one's entire life. There are numerous resources for cancer patients, see cancer resources. Expectations (prognosis): The outlook varies widely among different types of tumor. If the tumor is benign, the prognosis is generally very good. However, there are some instances where a benign tumor can cause significant problems, for instance, in the brain. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>