A New Frontier: Exploring the World of Low-Malignancy Tumors

I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer this year. When I first received my diagnosis, it was Stage One Papillary Thyroid Cancer. What did this diagnosis mean? To sum it up, stage one papillary thyroid cancer is a slow-growing and highly treatable form of thyroid cancer. But due to my age, my parents and I decided that surgery was the best option.

After surgery, my mom sent it to a lab for a second opinion. That’s where we received a different, yet somewhat intriguing prognosis. Instead of getting a response that it was benign, malignant stage x. I was told that it was NIFTP. A noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, NIFTP, was what is considered to be a Low Malignancy Cancer. Meaning that it falls somewhere between benign and malignant tumors. This means it has some features of both, but it is generally less likely to spread or grow quickly than a malignant tumor.

The term “low-malignancy tumor” represents a variety of different types of tumors, each with its own unique characteristics and behaviors. In general, these tumors are classified as having a lower risk of spreading or growing aggressively compared to other, more malignant tumors. However, it’s important to remember that every tumor is different, and even low-malignancy tumors can vary in their individual risks and prognoses.

Where did the idea for this diagnosis come from?

Surprisingly, the discovery of these tumors dates back centuries! Back to the Ancient Egyptians. In writings like the Edwin Smith Papyrus and the Eber Papyrus, breast tumors with characteristics, and more specifically recognize “swelling” in different body parts, some with slower progression and less aggressiveness. Although these observations came from so long ago, this belief didn’t gain momentum until the 1800–1900s. Development of microscopy and pathology allowed for scientific researchers to get a precise differentiation between tumors based on cell characteristics and growth. This led to the identification of tumors exhibiting slower growth, limited invasion, and better patient outcomes compared to their highly malignant counterparts.

Edwin Smith Papyrus and the Eber Papyrus

What’s the difference between Benign, Malignant, and Low-Malignant Tumors?

• Benign Tumors: These tumors are not cancerous. Why? Because they don’t have the ability to spread or invade nearby tissue. While they can sometimes cause problems due to their size or location, they generally don’t pose a serious health risk.

• Malignant Tumors: These are the tumors that make up the majority of Cancerous Tumors. Unlike Benign Tumors, they do have the ability to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body, which is why they provide such a larger health risk compared to benign and low malignant tumors. However, if found out in the early stages, it is possible to receive a better, more positive diagnosis.
• Low Malignant Tumors: These fall in between the two. While they do have a chance of spreading to other parts of the body and invading tissue aggressively, the chance of this happening is lower than that of Malignant Tumors. This doesn’t mean that they are without their own risks. The specific risks can vary depending on the type of tumor and other individual factors.

Treatment for Low-Malignant Tumors:

Overall, Low Malignant Tumors grow with a lower risk of spreading or growing aggressively compared to malignant or benign tumors. Some of the characteristics of these tumors include slower growth and being less invasive. Patients with low-malignancy tumors generally have better long-term survival outcomes compared to those with more aggressive cancers.

As a result, there are a number of patients that tend to leave these tumors alone in their body without any medical treatment because the threat of the tumor causing harm is low. Does this mean that all of these tumors are safe to leave? No, because certain factors have a role in not only these choices but also this prognosis:

• Uniqueness: Despite the overall diagnosis of low malignancy, other factors tend to play a role in these tumors, some being specific tumor type, location, and other factors.
• Prognosis and risk: It’s important to understand that even with a low-malignancy tumor diagnosis, there’s still a chance it could recur or spread in the future. However, it’s crucial to remember that this risk is generally lower compared to more aggressive cancers.
• Regular follow-up is crucial: If one chooses to leave the tumor intact, they will need regular check-ups. Even with low-malignant tumors, regular check-ups are important to monitor for any changes or signs of progression.

Understanding the nuances between benign, malignant, and low-malignant tumors is crucial for informed decision-making and prognostic evaluation. While low-malignant tumors offer a favorable prognosis compared to their more aggressive counterparts, regular monitoring and individualized assessment remain essential for managing potential risks and ensuring optimal long-term outcomes.