benign
adj. C1 Advanced US //bɪˈnaɪn// UK //bɪnˈaɪn// be·nign
adj. gentle, kind, or not harmful. In medicine, it describes a condition that is not cancer and does not spread to other parts of the body.
adj. kind, gentle, or not harmful; in medical contexts, describing a tumour or condition that is not malignant and does not metastasise.
The doctor said the lump was benign.
The scan confirmed the growth was benign, so no surgery was needed.
Despite its aggressive appearance, the tumour proved benign, sparing the patient from the rigours of chemotherapy and allowing for a swift recovery.
From Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.