A study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, examined the difference in malignant and benign tumor creation.
Researchers analyzed 19 human colorectal tumors with genome sequencing technologies and simulation models.
Here's what they found.
1. Malignant tumors had abnormal cell movement in nine of 15 invasive samples. The movements were evident upon creation of the tumors.
2. Of the four benign tumors, none had early abnormal cell movement.
3. Durham, N.C.-based Duke University's Marc Ryser, PhD, said, "We found evidence that benign and malignant tumors start differently, and that cell movement — an important feature of malignancy — manifests itself very early on during tumor growth."
4. Researchers said more research was needed on a larger scale, but the findings were a significant step. They hope the findings could be used to develop a test that distinguished between deadly and harmless growths more easily.