Benign (Non-malignant)

Benign tumors (or nonmalignant tumors) do not metastasize, meaning they do not spread through the bloodstream or lymph system to other parts of the body. Because desmoid tumors do not metastasize, they are often referred to simply as “benign” which fails to take into account their potential to be locally aggressive and have a high rate of recurrence. The World Health Organization does not list desmoid tumors in the “benign” category, but rather designates them as “intermediate, locally aggressive.”

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Beta-catenin is a protein that is coded by the CTNNB1 gene. It has many roles in the cell including cell-to-cell connections and regulating the expression of other genes. Mutation or overexpression of beta-catenin has been associated with cancers and tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung cancer, desmoid tumors, and more.

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“The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

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“A person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves. Examples include children, the elderly, or patients who have chronic illnesses or are disabled. Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends, social workers, or members of the clergy. They may give care at home or in a hospital or other health care setting.” (Source: National Cancer Institute)

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“A procedure in which the blood supply to a tumor is blocked after anticancer drugs are given in blood vessels near the tumor. Sometimes, the anticancer drugs are attached to small beads that are injected into an artery that feeds the tumor. The beads block blood flow to the tumor as they release the drug. This allows a higher amount of drug to reach the tumor for a longer period of time, which may kill more cancer cells. It also causes fewer side effects because very little of the drug reaches other parts of the body.” (Source: National Cancer Institute)

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“Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, or infusion, or on the skin, depending on the characteristics of the disease being treated. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

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