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Difference Between a Benign and a Malignant Tumor

Colleen DeRitis, M.A., OTR/L, Doug DeRitis, PharmD, RPH

February 13, 2013

Question

What is the difference between a benign and malignant tumor?

Answer

A benign tumor is slow growing and is encapsulated within the cell wall. It is well-differentiated from the healthy tissues surrounding it.  It is non-ulcerated and non-metastatic. It is not extended or fixed into surrounding tissues.  It can become malignant so it needs to be monitered.  Problems exist when it needs to be surgically removed and healthy tissue is destroyed in the process.

A malignant tumors is grows rapidly with very fast cell division.  It is ulcerated and very poorly differentiated from the surrounding tissue. It fixes itself to healthy tissue mixing in with regular cells eventually destroying them. They can be metastatic and spread to other areas of the body via the lymphatic system.


colleen deritis

Colleen DeRitis, M.A., OTR/L

Colleen Ann DeRitis, MA, OTR/L, is a licensed and registered OT with more than 21 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings. Mrs. DeRitis holds a Specialty Certification in Environmental Modification which facilitates aging in place and independent living for clients with life-limiting conditions. As an adjunct faculty member at New York University, Long Island University,  Dominican College and State University of New York-Downstate, Mrs. DeRitis has taught courses on Advanced Treatment Techniques, Clinical Conditions Across the Life Span, Therapeutic Environmental Design, and Biopsychosocial Maturation. She also has developed curriculum as part of an OT Internship Program for new graduates, a  workforce retraining for home health aides, and created and implemented an OT Telehealth Pilot Study for home care. Mrs. DeRitis contributed a chapter to the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam Review Study Guide (Cottrell ) on Mastery of the Environment.  She earned her MA in occupational therapy from New York University, received her BA from Saint Joseph’s College, and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.


doug deritis

Doug DeRitis, PharmD, RPH

 

DOUGLAS DERITIS is a licensed pharmacist in New Jersey with 20 years of experience.
He is currently the Clinical Coordinator of Pharmacy Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where he is responsible for clinical management of oncology patients. Dr.
DeRitis has previously worked as a pharmacist for Deborah Heart and Lung Center and for Saint Clare's
Medical Center, both in New Jersey. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from Rutgers University and is
a member of the New Jersey Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the American Society of Health-
System Pharmacists.


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