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How can a benign tumor cause atrophy in nearby normal tissues?

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atrophy One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right).

A benign tumor can cause atrophy in nearby normal tissues primarily through the mechanism of prolonged pressure.12

Although benign tumors do not aggressively invade or destroy surrounding tissues like malignant tumors, they continue to grow and expand within the body. As a tumor mass increases in size, it exerts physical pressure on adjacent structures. When this pressure is sustained over time, it can interfere with the normal function and health of the surrounding tissue, leading to a wasting away or atrophy.231

For example, in the central nervous system, an expanding tumor located in the membranes covering the brain can impinge upon the adjacent brain substance, resulting in localized atrophy of that tissue. In severe cases, if a benign tumor compresses vital structures such as the brainstem, it can lead to significant health complications.12