What does benign mean in medical terms?

Benign, in medical terms, refers to a condition or growth that is not cancerous or malignant. Benign conditions or tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and are generally not life-threatening. They tend to grow slowly and remain localized in one area.

Benign conditions can occur in various parts of the body, such as the skin, muscles, bones, or internal organs. Examples of benign growths include:

1. Skin tags: These are small, fleshy growths that often appear on the neck, armpits, or groin area.

2. Lipomas: These are non-cancerous fatty tumors that can grow under the skin.

3. Uterine fibroids: These are benign tumors that grow in the muscular wall of the uterus.

4. Breast fibroadenomas: These are non-cancerous lumps in the breast that are composed of glandular and fibrous tissue.

5. Adenomas: These are benign growths that arise from glandular tissue. They can occur in various organs, such as the thyroid gland (thyroid adenomas) or the colon (colonic adenomas).

It's important to note that while benign conditions are not considered life-threatening, some may still cause discomfort, pain, or other symptoms depending on their location and size. In such cases, medical evaluation and treatment may be necessary to manage the symptoms or remove the benign growths.