What term refers to unusual cell growth that is not cancerous?

The term that refers to unusual cell growth that is not cancerous is benign. Benign growths are typically characterized by their slow growth rate and defined borders, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body, which distinguishes them from malignant (cancerous) growths.

Benign tumors can still cause problems due to their size or the location where they grow, potentially leading to pressure on surrounding tissues or organs, but they do not possess the aggressive behavior associated with malignancy. Their non-cancerous nature means that they are often considered less dangerous, and many benign tumors may not require treatment unless they cause discomfort or other complications.

In contrast, malignant growths are cancerous and can invade surrounding tissues and metastasize, or spread, to distant organs. Metastasis specifically refers to the process of cancer spreading, and apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death, which occurs in various normal and pathological processes but does not describe cell growth.