What distinguishes malignant tumors from benign tumors?

Malignant tumors are characterized by their ability to invade and colonize surrounding tissues, which is a fundamental aspect of cancer. This invasive property allows malignant cells to spread beyond their original site, leading to metastasis, where cancer cells can establish secondary tumors in other organs. This contrasts with benign tumors, which are typically localized, grow slowly, and do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize.

While it is true that malignant tumors can grow to larger sizes and may proliferate without the normal regulatory mechanisms that control cell division, the defining feature is their invasive capacity. Moreover, benign tumors generally arise from a single type of cell and do not involve the complex processes seen in malignant tumors. Understanding this distinction is crucial in the study of cancer biology and treatment approaches.