What Is a Solid Tumor?

Definition

A solid tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow in an uncontrolled way and cluster into a solid lump. This type of solid tumor can be benign, meaning it is not cancer, or malignant, meaning it is cancer. The words “solid tumor” describe the physical form of a mass, not one single disease. That is why the next steps depend on where the solid tumor is located, what type of cells it comes from, and how it behaves over time.

This page is for education only and does not replace medical advice. If you have a new lump, unexplained weight loss, persistent bleeding, or severe or worsening pain, seek medical evaluation.

What a Solid Tumor Means

A solid tumor is most often used to describe masses in organs or tissues such as the breast, lung, colon, liver, kidney, pancreas, prostate, skin, bone, or soft tissue. Many cancers in these areas can form a solid tumor, but benign growths can also form similar lumps.

People sometimes use “solid tumor” to distinguish these masses from blood cancers, because blood cancers typically do not form one single solid lump in an organ.

Where a Solid Tumor Can Occur

These growths can appear in many parts of the body, including:

• Breast
• Lung
• Colon and rectum
• Liver
• Kidney
• Pancreas
• Prostate
• Skin
• Bone
• Soft tissue such as muscle, fat, or connective tissue
• Lymph nodes in some conditions that present as masses

Because the term solid tumor is broad, diagnosis always depends on the specific location and the results of medical testing.

Solid Tumor Causes and Risk Factors

Causes

What causes a solid tumor

There is rarely one single cause. A solid tumor usually forms after cells develop genetic changes that disrupt normal growth control. These changes can be inherited, acquired over time, or influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors.

Risk factors that may increase the chance of a solid tumor

Risk factors depend on tumor type, but commonly include:

• Increasing age
• Tobacco exposure
• Heavy alcohol use
• Obesity and metabolic factors
• Certain infections that can contribute to cancer risk in specific organs
• Long-term inflammation in certain conditions
• Radiation exposure depending on dose and context
• Workplace or environmental exposures depending on the substance
• Family history and inherited syndromes in some cases

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop a solid tumor. It only means risk may be higher than average.

How a solid tumor forms

A simple way to understand how a solid tumor can develop:

• A cell develops damage in its DNA and gains an advantage that allows it to grow more than normal
• Over time, more genetic changes can accumulate
• The abnormal cells keep multiplying and form a cluster
• The cluster becomes a mass, and the body may build new blood supply around it as it grows
• If the solid tumor is malignant, it may invade nearby tissue and potentially spread to lymph nodes or other organs

Benign vs malignant

A tumor is not automatically cancer.

Features often seen in benign growths

• Growth tends to be slow
• The tumor usually stays in one place
• It does not spread to distant organs

Features often seen in malignant tumors

• The tumor can invade nearby tissue
• It can spread to lymph nodes or distant organs
• Cells look more abnormal under the microscope
• The behavior can be more aggressive depending on type and grade

Only medical testing can confirm whether a solid tumor is benign or malignant.

Solid Tumor Symptoms and Warning Signs

Symptoms

Symptoms vary widely. Some people have no symptoms at first. Others notice symptoms when a solid tumor grows, presses on nearby structures, blocks an organ, irritates tissue, or causes bleeding.

Common symptoms

These symptoms can have many causes, but they are common reasons doctors evaluate a suspicious mass or possible solid tumor:

• A new lump or swelling that you can feel
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ongoing fatigue that does not improve with rest
• Persistent pain in one area that does not go away
• Changes in bowel habits that persist
• Blood in stool or urine
• Unusual bleeding
• Persistent cough, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing
• Skin changes such as a new spot or a spot that changes shape, color, or size
• Ongoing bloating or abdominal discomfort that persists

Warning signs that need urgent evaluation

Seek urgent care right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Sudden weakness on one side, confusion, or difficulty speaking
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe abdominal pain with repeated vomiting
• A lump that grows quickly along with fever or severe pain

Solid Tumor Diagnosis: Imaging, Biopsy, and Staging

Diagnosis

How doctors diagnose a solid tumor

Doctors typically combine several steps to diagnose a solid tumor and understand what it is.

Medical history and physical exam

A clinician will ask about symptoms, timing, family history, and relevant exposures, then examine the area and nearby lymph nodes.

Imaging tests

Imaging helps locate a solid tumor and understand its size and characteristics. The most common imaging tools include:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI
• PET scan in selected situations

The choice depends on where the solid tumor is located and what the doctor needs to evaluate.

Biopsy and pathology

A biopsy is often the most important step when cancer is suspected. A biopsy allows specialists to examine tissue under a microscope and identify:

• The type of tumor
• Whether it is benign or malignant
• The grade, which reflects how abnormal the cells look
• Biomarkers or genetic features that may guide treatment planning

Blood tests and supportive labs

Blood tests do not usually diagnose a solid tumor by themselves, but they can help evaluate organ function, anemia, inflammation, and overall health before treatment decisions.

Staging

Staging describes how advanced a malignant tumor is. Staging helps guide treatment planning and helps doctors estimate prognosis.

Many cancers use a system that considers:

• Tumor size and local growth
• Lymph node involvement
• Whether it has spread to distant organs

Staging rules are different for different cancer types, so staging must be interpreted based on the specific diagnosis.

Grade vs stage

People often confuse these terms.

• Grade describes how abnormal the tumor cells look under the microscope and how aggressive they may behave.
• Stage describes where the tumor is, how big it is, and whether it has spread.

Both grade and stage can influence treatment decisions.

Medications Used for Solid Tumor Care

Medications

Systemic therapy that treats the whole body, which may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy depending on the tumor type.

Solid Tumor Treatment Options

Treatments

Treatment overview for malignant tumors

Treatment depends on the tumor type, location, stage, biomarkers, and the person’s overall health. Doctors may use one or more of the following approaches:

• Surgery to remove the tumor when possible
• Radiation therapy to target tumor tissue in a focused way

Only a licensed medical team can recommend the right treatment plan for a specific case.

Solid Tumor FAQs

FAQs

How do I know if I might have a solid tumor?

A solid tumor might be suspected when you notice a new lump or swelling, persistent pain in one area, unexplained weight loss, ongoing fatigue that does not improve with rest, changes in bowel habits that persist, blood in stool or urine, unusual bleeding, persistent cough or hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or skin changes such as a new spot or a spot that changes shape, color, or size. Some people have no symptoms at first, so evaluation depends on the specific situation and the results of medical testing.

What should I do if I find a new lump or swelling?

If you notice a new lump or swelling that you can feel, do not delay evaluation. The goal is not to panic, but to get answers early and make informed decisions with a licensed clinician. A healthcare professional can review your symptoms, examine the area, and decide whether imaging or other testing is needed.

When is a possible solid tumor an emergency?

Seek urgent care right away if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, sudden weakness on one side, confusion or difficulty speaking, uncontrolled bleeding, severe abdominal pain with repeated vomiting, or a lump that grows quickly along with fever or severe pain.

How do doctors confirm whether a solid tumor is benign or malignant?

Only medical testing can confirm whether a solid tumor is benign or malignant. Doctors typically combine a medical history and physical exam with imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan in selected situations. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy is often the most important step because it allows specialists to examine tissue under a microscope and determine tumor type, whether it is benign or malignant, and other features such as grade and biomarkers.

What happens after a solid tumor is diagnosed?

Next steps depend on where the solid tumor is located, what type of cells it comes from, and how it behaves over time. If the tumor is malignant, staging helps guide treatment planning by considering tumor size and local growth, lymph node involvement, and whether it has spread to distant organs. Treatment depends on tumor type and may include surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy depending on the tumor type and a person’s overall health.

ProviderX Resources and Trusted References

References

ProviderX resources and trusted reference

If you are researching a possible solid tumor diagnosis, understanding the difference between generic and brand-name drugs can help you ask better questions about pricing, alternatives, and long-term budgeting while you speak with your medical team.

If you are also comparing cross-border options for prescription savings, this certified medical tourism professional guide explains what a safety-first process looks like and what questions to ask before making decisions.

If you want practical context on planning and safety considerations in the border region, this guide to pharmacies in Tijuana, Mexico (2025) can help you understand what to look for and what questions to ask.

For a clear medical definition from a widely recognized authority, the National Cancer Institute definition of solid tumor is a reliable starting point.