Sarah Brown
Tumours can vary in size, from microscopic to several centimetres in diameter. A mushroom-sized tumour is a rare phenomenon, but it has been observed in several cases. Mushroom-like tumours can be the result of basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. The size of a tumour is an important factor in diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis. For example, small tumours can often be removed through minimally invasive techniques, while larger tumours may require complex surgical approaches and reconstructive surgery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Typical size | 35 x 30 x 15 mm |
| Size range | From microscopic to several centimeters in diameter |
| Tumor type | Benign or malignant |
| Tumor location | Skin, head, nose, thigh, leg, right mons pubis |
| Tumor appearance | Brownish, flesh-colored, moist surface |
| Treatment | Surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation therapy |
| Occurrence | Rare |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom-like skin tumours are rare
Mushroom-like skin tumours are indeed a rare phenomenon. The growth of these tumours was first described in 1806 by Alibert, who focused on mycosis fungicides. Mycosis fungicides are composed of cancerous T cells, which cause the formation of patches that are thicker and deeper than plaques. These patches can occur on their own or arise from plaques, and they can disappear and reappear or remain stable over time. They are most commonly found on the lower abdomen, upper thighs, buttocks, and breasts.
In a more recent study, only four case reports were identified in the PUBMED database using the terms "mushroom-like growth" and "skin tumour". Three of the four patients were elderly women, aged between 69 and 94 years old. The tumours were completely removed by wide excision or delayed Mohs surgery, and no metastatic spread was noted.
Mushroom-like skin tumours can have a variety of histological diagnoses, including melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma, for example, has been observed on the nose tip and shoulder. Merkel cell carcinoma has been observed on the right mons pubis of a 94-year-old female patient. The tumour was grown for at least five years and was removed by wide excision with a 2 cm safety margin. Merkel cell carcinoma has also been observed on the head, with a diameter of 7 cm. This tumour was also removed by surgery, specifically delayed Mohs surgery.
The rarity of mushroom-like skin tumours makes it challenging to diagnose them through clinical examination alone. Hence, complete surgical removal and careful histologic examination are often necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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Tumour size determines treatment
Tumour size is an important factor in determining the treatment options available to a patient. In the case of breast cancer, the size of the primary tumour is measured at its widest point in millimetres or centimetres. Doctors use tumour size charts to help determine the stage of breast cancer. Tumours of 2cm or less in diameter are classified as T1, those larger than 2cm but less than 5cm are T2, and those larger than 5cm are T3. T4 tumours can be of any size but have grown into the chest wall or skin. Generally, smaller tumours indicate early-stage cancer, which is easier to treat, while larger tumours suggest later-stage cancer, requiring more extensive treatment.
Similarly, in metastatic colorectal cancer, the initial change in tumour size is critical in predicting response and survival rates for patients undergoing combination chemotherapy. The World Health Organization's response evaluation criteria, RECIST and RECIST 1.1, quantify and categorise changes in lesion size to indicate treatment efficacy. A decrease of more than 50% and an increase of over 25% in tumour diameter are used as cut-off values to record an objective response.
Mushroom-like skin tumours are a rare phenomenon, and their treatment depends on complete surgical removal and careful histological examination. The size of these tumours can vary, with reported cases ranging from 1.5 cm in diameter to 35 x 30 x 15 mm. Surgical excision with a safety margin is typically performed, followed by tissue transfer to close the defect. In some cases, adjuvant radiotherapy may be administered post-surgery.
In summary, tumour size plays a crucial role in determining treatment options and predicting patient outcomes. While advancements in cancer treatments offer varied approaches, early detection and diagnosis significantly improve a patient's prognosis and increase the effectiveness of treatment.
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Tumour size indicates cancer stage
Tumour size is an important factor in determining the stage of cancer. The size of a tumour and how fast it grows are considered when staging cancer. The higher the number, the more advanced the cancer is. For example, a stage 1 tumour is usually less than 2 centimetres across, whereas stage 4 cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The TNM system is the most widely used cancer staging system. The T refers to the size and extent of the main tumour, with T1, T2, T3, and T4 indicating increasing tumour size or growth into nearby tissues. The N refers to whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, with N0 indicating no spread and N1, N2, and N3 indicating increasing spread to lymph nodes. The M refers to metastasis, or whether the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, with M0 indicating no metastasis and M1 indicating metastatic cancer.
While tumour size is an important factor in staging cancer, other factors are also considered, such as the location of the tumour, the appearance of cancer cells, and the presence of hormone receptors. Staging cancer helps doctors determine treatment options and patient outlook. An early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve a patient's outlook.
Mushroom-like skin tumours are a rare phenomenon, but they have been observed in a few cases. These tumours are typically completely removed by surgery and then carefully examined histologically, as they often represent malignancies. In one case, a Caucasian woman presented with a 7 cm large, stalked tumour with a mushroom-like growth. The tumour was suspected to be non-melanoma skin cancer and was successfully removed by surgery. In another case, a 94-year-old female patient presented with a 1.5 cm mushroom-like tumour on her right mons pubis, which was also removed surgically.
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Tumours are benign or malignant
A mushroom-size tumour is a rare phenomenon. Some mushroom-like tumours observed include:
- A 7 cm large, stalked tumour with a mushroom-like growth on the head of a Caucasian woman.
- A 35 x 30 x 15 mm mushroom-like brownish tumour on a patient.
- A 1.5 cm tumour on the right mons pubis of a 94-year-old female patient.
Tumours are classified as benign or malignant. While it may seem simple to categorise benign tumours as harmless and malignant tumours as harmful, the distinction is often more complex. Benign tumours are non-cancerous and are usually not life-threatening. They develop when cells grow abnormally and may form anywhere in the body. However, they do not typically invade nearby tissue or spread; instead, they are contained within the tumour itself. Benign tumours generally grow slowly, and some may not require treatment. However, they can sometimes cause serious health risks when they press on nearby organs, nerves, or blood vessels, or when they grow in the brain or spinal cord. In such cases, doctors may need to surgically remove benign tumours. While they rarely become malignant, specific benign tumours can turn cancerous over time. For example, colon polyps are benign tumours that can become malignant if not treated early.
On the other hand, malignant tumours are cancerous. They are formed by cancerous cells that multiply, grow uncontrollably, and invade nearby tissues. These cancer cells tend to be abnormal and distinct from the surrounding normal tissue. Malignant tumours can occur anywhere in the body and may spread to other areas through a process called metastasis. For instance, untreated breast cancer may spread to the lymph nodes. When cancer spreads, it affects treatment decisions. For example, surgery may be sufficient to remove cancer detected in the chest wall, but if the tumours have spread to other areas, systemic treatment like chemotherapy may be necessary first.
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Tumours can be surgically removed
Before surgery, imaging and tests are performed to determine the location and size of the tumour. This helps surgeons plan the procedure and identify the best approach. For example, a craniotomy is performed to remove brain tumours, which involves making an incision in the scalp and removing a piece of bone from the skull to access the tumour. In other cases, a minimally invasive procedure such as neuroendoscopy may be used, where the tumour is removed through small holes in the skull or through the mouth or nose.
The surgical removal of mushroom-like skin tumours has been reported in several cases. These tumours are rare and often require complete surgical removal, followed by careful histologic examination, as they may represent malignancies. In one case, a 94-year-old female patient presented with an exophytic tumour on her right mons pubis, which was successfully removed by wide excision with a safety margin. Another case involved a Caucasian woman with a 7 cm large, stalked tumour on her head, which was also completely excised with a safety margin.
Surgical resection of tumours can be performed before chemotherapy or radiation treatment to reduce the chance of recurrence and make subsequent treatments easier. It is often the first and most common treatment for brain tumours, and in some cases, it may be the only treatment needed. During brain tumour surgery, a biopsy is usually performed to remove a small sample of the tumour for examination.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom-size tumor is a rare type of skin tumor that grows in a mushroom-like pattern. It can be benign or malignant and usually requires complete surgical removal.
Mushroom-size tumors can vary in size, but they typically range from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter. For example, a mushroom-like tumor on the nose tip was reported to be around 35 x 30 x 15 mm in size. Another mushroom-like tumor on the right thigh was described as having a diameter of 1.5 cm.
The treatment for a mushroom-size tumor depends on its size, location, and whether it is benign or malignant. Small tumors can often be removed using minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic surgery, while larger tumors may require open surgery or complex surgical approaches involving reconstructive surgery. Complete surgical removal is typically recommended for mushroom-like tumors.
Mushroom-size tumors can be asymptomatic, especially if they are slow-growing. However, rapidly growing tumors may cause pain or discomfort due to pressure on nearby organs. Some mushroom-like tumors have been described as painless and flesh-colored, with a moist surface.
