Benign (from the Latin roots bene- = “well” and -genus = “born”), a polyvalent term (refer benign), is employed with a specific denotation as a medical term in medical discourse to describe a mild and nonprogressive disease. The term is most familiar as a description of a non-cancerous (non-malignant) tumor or neoplasm, but may also refer to other mild health conditions.

Uses of “benign” in oncology:

• Benign tumor, generally synonymous with benign neoplasm.

Non-oncologic disorders referred to as “benign”:

• Benign intracranial hypertension
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Benign tertian malaria (Malaria caused specifically by Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale)

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