HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is a common feature of a benign neoplasm?

1. It is easily treatable

2. It typically occurs in the skin

3. It is harmful to the body

4. It is characterized by inflammation

The correct answer is: It is easily treatable

A benign neoplasm is a type of tumor that is generally non-cancerous and does not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to other parts of the body. One of the most distinguishing features of benign neoplasms is that they are usually easily treatable, often requiring surgical removal and typically showing a good prognosis for the patient. For instance, when a benign tumor is excised, it usually does not return, and the overall outcome is favorable, leading to complete recovery for the individual. While some benign neoplasms may occur in the skin, this is not universally true for all benign tumors, as they can arise in various parts of the body, such as organs or tissues. Moreover, benign neoplasms are not harmful in the way malignant tumors are; they do not invade other tissues or organ systems, which distinguishes them from cancerous growths. Lastly, although some benign neoplasms can be associated with inflammation, this feature is not a defining trait of all such tumors, making it less relevant in identifying the nature of benign neoplasms.