Benign Lung Tumors? Don't be afraid, let's be aware of this!

How would you feel if a doctor told you, "You have a tumor in your lung?" It's normal to feel scared and shocked when you hear that word. When we hear the word "tumor," our minds immediately jump to the dreaded condition of cancer. But there's something important to tell you. Not all tumors are cancer. Some tumors can be harmless and non-cancerous (benign). So today we're talking about non-cancerous tumors in the lungs that you don't need to worry about.

What exactly is a 'tumor'?

Simply put, a tumor is a collection of abnormal tissue that forms when cells in our body join together. Normally, cells in our body divide, grow, and eventually die. This is a very controlled process. But sometimes this process goes awry. Cells start dividing too quickly, or cells that should die join together instead of dying. That is what we call a tumor. These tumors can form in the lungs or in the airways that carry air to the lungs.

These nuts can be divided into two main types:

1. Malignant Tumors: These are what we call Cancer . They grow rapidly, invade surrounding tissues, and can spread to other parts of the body.

2. Benign Tumors : These are not cancerous. They do not spread to other parts of the body.

Now, if your doctor says, "The tumor in your lung looks benign ," what does that really mean? Let's look at it further.

Are there any non-cancerous tumors that form in the lungs?

Yes, absolutely. They are also classified by size. Usually, tumors larger than 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) are called ``masses'', and tumors smaller than 3 centimeters are called `` nodules ''. These small tumors that form in the lungs are also called ``pulmonary nodules''.

Here are some of the most common types of non-cancerous tumors.

Hamartomas

These are the most common type of non-cancerous growths found in the lungs. They are made up of normal tissues like cartilage , fat , and muscle . But the tissue is clumped together in an abnormal way. On an X-ray, they can look like a round coin. Sometimes they can also look like a popcorn. They usually don't harm the surrounding tissue.

Bronchial adenomas

These are another common type of non-cancerous tumor. They mainly develop in our airways (bronchi) and mucous glands.

Papillomas

These are a bit rarer. They grow from the inside of the airways and protrude outward. There are three types of papillomas:

• Squamous papillomas: These can be caused by infection with a virus called ``Human Papillomavirus (HPV).`` This HPV virus is the same virus that causes warts and some sexually transmitted diseases. These types of growths sometimes have a small chance of becoming cancerous.
• Glandular papillomas: These are rarer than squamous papillomas. The exact cause of their occurrence has not yet been found.
• Mixed squamous and glandular papillomas: These contain tissue from both types mentioned above. These can also rarely become cancerous.

How common are these fruits?

These small lumps in the lungs (pulmonary nodules) are actually more common than you might think. They are found in about one in 500 chest X-rays. Also, 80%-90% of CT scans (Computed Tomography scans) show these small lumps.

The good news is that more than 60% of these tumors seen on X-rays and 99% of those seen on CT scans are non-cancerous (benign). If you are over 50 and smoke, you are slightly more likely to see one on a CT scan.

What are the symptoms of non-cancerous lung tumors?

The surprising thing here is that many people do not experience any symptoms . More than 90% of these tumors are discovered incidentally during a chest X-ray or CT scan for another condition.

However, some people may experience symptoms, including:

• A mild cough that lasts for a long time.
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea).
• Any discomfort or pain in the chest.
• Wheezing is a whistling sound when breathing.
• A rasping sound like mucus coming from the lungs.
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis).

If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. Be sure to see your doctor.

What causes tumors like this?

There can be several causes of non-cancerous lung tumors.

• Granulomas: These are small lumps of inflammatory cells that form due to an infection. They can be caused by bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis (TB), or fungal infections.
• Lung abscess: A pus-filled infection inside the lung.
• Inflammation: These tumors can also develop due to inflammatory conditions caused by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or sarcoidosis.
• Infection: Lung tumors can be caused by various types of infections.
• Congenital conditions: Certain conditions that are present at birth, for example, a fluid-filled sac in the lungs (lung cyst).

In some cases, a specific cause may not be found.

How do I know for sure that this lump is not cancerous?

Doctors use several factors to determine whether a lump is cancerous or not.

Usually, the CT scan can determine that the tumor is not cancerous based on its appearance. However, if there is any doubt, the doctor may suggest a bronchoscopy. This involves passing a thin, camera-equipped tube down the throat into the lungs to examine the tumor. A sample of tissue may also be taken for testing (a biopsy). You will be given anesthesia before this test, so you will not feel any discomfort.

How is it treated? Should the tumor be removed?

The good news is that most noncancerous lung tumors don't need any treatment . Doctors often recommend a "watch and wait" approach. This means getting X-rays or CT scans every few months or years to see if the tumor changes in size or shape.

However, in the following cases, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor or a biopsy:

• If you are a smoker or have a high risk of cancer.
• If you develop symptoms such as difficulty breathing.
• If tests reveal a suspicion that it could be cancer.
• If the tumor continues to grow.

When should you see a doctor?

While observing a tumor, or in general, if you experience the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

• If you develop a new cough, if your existing cough worsens, or if you cough up blood.
• If new symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever, chills, or chest pain appear.
• If you lose more than 5 kilos (10 pounds) of body weight for no reason.

Questions to ask your doctor

It's normal to have many questions when you learn about a condition like this. Don't be afraid or hesitant to ask your doctor these questions.

• How do you know I have a tumor in my lung?
• How can you tell for sure that this tumor is not cancerous?
• What type of non-cancerous tumor do I have?
• Do I need to do more tests?
• Do I need treatment?
• How often do I need to come for follow-up?
• Do I need to see a pulmonologist?

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