Swelling occurs in our body due to many reactions and processes. They can occur in different parts of the human body. It mainly happens in the tissues of the cells below the skin layer. Both nodules and tumors are swollen masses that form in the inner layer of the body. They are of different types and can be present anywhere.
Nodule vs Tumor
The main difference between nodule and tumor is that nodule is a swollen lump that occurs in the body that can be cancerous or non-cancerous. The tumor is a mass of tissue that arises abnormally under the skin layer and can be a variant of cancer as a nodule. They have their respective sizes depending on which they can be differentiated.
A nodule is a swollen lump growth under the skin layer in an abnormal way. It affects the deeper layers of the skin or within the internal organs. Professionals describe any type of growth under the skin as nodules. It is approximately has a size of diameter 3 cm. Different types of glands help to produce nodules.
A tumor is an uneven mass of tissue that forms more than required when cells perform regeneration and when require to expire it does not perform that. There are different types of tumors forms in the body. Non-cancerous tumors do not spread more into the tissues and prevent further infection but it just grows large.
Comparison Table Between Nodule and Tumor
| Parameters of Comparison | Nodule | Tumor |
| Meaning | It is an abnormal swollen lump growth under the skin layer which refers to the initial stage of a lump. | It is a large uneven mass of tissue which considered to be an advanced stage of nodules. |
| Size | It has a size diameter of 3 cm or less than it. It does not grow larger. | It grows larger and has a diameter of more than 3 cm that can be termed a tumor. |
| Causes | It causes deficiency of iodine, various hormonal reactions, different infections, and other causes. | It has many causes such as excessive fat, genes problem, direct radiance to sun rays, and certain kinds of toxins. |
| Occurrence | It occurs due to the inflammation happens and infection that occurs due to the chemical reactions in the body. | It generally occurs due to the cell regeneration, growth, and division that happens in the body by different processes. |
| Symptoms | It can be felt as swelling, a certain loss of weight, panic attacks, and nervousness which often leads to tremors. | It has various symptoms of nausea, vomiting that leads to fatigue, drowsiness, and certain other problems in the body. |
What is Nodule?
A nodule is a swollen growth in the skin tissues. Nodules can form on the thyroid gland. When nodules get enlarged in size it is also termed lymph nodes. These can occur anywhere in the body and the growth is abnormal in tissues. They can be both cancerous and non-cancerous depending on the growth and type of nodule.
Different types of nodules can form in our bodies. Every type has its causes and symptoms. It can happen in the lungs, lymph, vocal chord, and thyroid. In the lymphatic system, lymph nodes play an important role. It aids in the body’s filtering of numerous chemicals found in the fluids present in the body.
Vocal chord nodules are generally caused due to excessive overuse of it and not taking proper preventions. As a result of this, vocal cords can become enlarged which leads to the production of nodules. The thyroid gland generates certain hormones that help in the metabolism regulation of the body. Lung nodules occur due to an inflammation or infection in the lungs and various pulmonary disorders.
The main priority while examining a lump or nodule in the neck is to rule out the risk of cancer. The diagnosis includes various tests such as physical examination of the nodules, blood tests that can measure thyroid hormones using different techniques such as ultrasound and scans.
What is Tumor?
A tumor is a pathological swelling enlargement in the body caused by excessive cell processes such as growth and division more than is required. It does not follow any orderly manner to develop cells growth. A cancerous growth is referred to as a malignant tumor. These tumors have aberrant cells that rise without any order and their growth cannot be controlled. Non-cancerous tumors do not grow so fast and can be controlled.
A tumor forms when the balance of cell processes gets disturbed. It can be caused by problems with the immune system. Tobacco kills more people than any other substance in the environment. It can cause various gene problems, excess of fat in the body, consuming alcohol, exposure to sunlight and radiance, and different viruses and toxins.
Different types of tumors can be present in the body. Tumors vary in shapes and sizes and it depends on the tissues in which they develop frequently. The type and location of the tumor are used to get a diagnosis. There are modern techniques such as tumor marker testing and imaging examinations are used to accomplish this. Certain tumors can be felt externally through our hands, such as those on the skin’s surface.
Main Differences Between Nodule and Tumor
- Nodule is smaller in size while the tumor is larger in comparison to the nodule.
- Nodule causes due to deficiency of nutrients and hormonal reactions whereas tumor causes due to genes problem, direct radiance to sun rays and certain kinds of toxins.
- Nodules have a diameter of 3 centimeters or less than it but the tumor has a diameter greater than 3 centimeters.
- Nodules occur due to infection that grows in the body due to various chemical reactions. And tumor occurs due to excess cell processes such as the growth and division of cells in the body.
- Nodules symptoms are weight loss, nervousness, tremor, and many more whereas tumor symptoms are nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, etc.
Conclusion
Nodule and tumor are swollen lumps that develop under the skin tissue but differ in their size, causes, and symptoms. They have different diagnoses and treatments to detect them and cure them properly. The nodule is a small swollen lump that does not grow larger and occurs due to various chemical reactions under the tissues and skin layer.
Tumors are an advanced stage of a nodule as it grows larger. It occurs due to various cellular processes and metabolism more than is required. Both of them can be benign or malignant. Depending on their types, a proper diagnostic is taken care of. The main distinction between the two is their difference in size and type of growth in the body.
References
- https://www.ijpmonline.org/article.asp?issn=0377-4929;year=2009;volume=52;issue=2;spage=240;epage=241;aulast=Jacob
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00428-014-1557-y