benign /binīn″/ [L, benignus, kind] , 1. (of a tumor) noncancerous and therefore not a direct threat to life, even though treatment eventually may be required for health or cosmetic reasons. Compare malignant. See also benign neoplasm. 2. description of a biopsy from a tumor that identifies tissue as nonmalignant and not a direct threat to life, based on cellular characteristics and a lack of invasive properties.
