Benign
to malignant transformation
Certain benign neoplasms are prone to undergo malignant changes, and it
is important, for both treatment and prognosis, to realise when this occurs.
Some or all of the following changes may be recognised:
• increased vascularity: dilated cutaneous veins, ulceration and
bleeding in the case of a superficial growth (e.g. melanoma);
• fixity: due to invasion of surrounding structures;
• involvement of adjacent structures: e.g. facial palsy suggests
malignant change in an otherwise longstanding parotid pleomorphic adenoma;
• dissemination: discovery of secondary deposits.