[Campbell Biology P.298] Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes between ... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor based on the provided text?

  • A: Benign tumors always cause serious problems and cannot be removed, while malignant tumors can spread.
  • B: Malignant tumors are confined to the original site, whereas benign tumors always spread to new tissues.
  • C: Benign tumors usually do not cause serious problems and can often be removed, whereas malignant tumors can spread to new tissues and impair organ functions.
  • D: Both benign and malignant tumors are characterized by unusual numbers of chromosomes and always metastasize.

Explanation

The text states that 'Most benign tumors do not cause serious problems depending on their location and can be removed by surgery.' In contrast, 'a malignant tumor includes cells whose genetic and cellular changes enable them to spread to new tissues and impair the functions of one or more organs.' This aligns with option C.