Benign Tumour - GCSE Biology Definition

A benign tumour is a mass of cells that grows in the body but does not spread to other tissues or organs, unlike malignant tumours, which are cancerous. In GCSE Biology, it is important to understand that benign tumours can still cause health problems depending on their size and location, as they may press on nearby organs or tissues. However, they are considered less dangerous than malignant tumours because they do not invade other parts of the body or metastasise. Benign tumours can often be removed surgically and are less likely to return after removal. An example is a lipoma, a benign lump of fatty tissue found under the skin.