Hamartomas are by definition benign, slow-growing or self-limiting, [3][4] though the underlying condition may still predispose the individual towards malignancies. Hamartomas are usually caused by a genetic syndrome that affects the development cycle of all or at least multiple cells. [4] A hamartoma is a noncancerous mix of cells and tissue that grow in a disorganized way inside your body.

Understanding the Context

Most don’t cause symptoms and aren’t serious. A hamartoma is a local malformation of an abnormal mixture of cells and tissue. Although most hamartomas are benign, they cause morbidity by various mechanisms such as infection, infarction, pressure/obstruction, hemorrhage/anemia, fracture, and neoplastic transformation. Hamartomas are noncancerous growths made up of normal cells that have grown in a disorganized way.

Key Insights

Unlike a tumor that produces abnormal cells, a hamartoma contains the same types of cells you’d find in the surrounding tissue, just arranged haphazardly and growing out of proportion. A hamartoma (from Greek hamartia, meaning “fault, defect,” and -oma, denoting a tumor or neoplasm) is a benign (noncancerous) tumorlike malformation made up of an abnormal mixture of cells and... What is a hamartoma? A hamartoma is a benign (non-cancerous) overgrowth of a mature cell type normal to the site, tissue, or organ. The word is from the Greek hamartia (‘fault’ or ‘defect’) and - oma (‘ tumour ’ or ‘ neoplasm ’).

Final Thoughts

A hamartoma is a benign tumor-like growth made up of an abnormal mixture of cells and tissues that are normally found in the area where it develops. They are generally non-cancerous and often asymptomatic. The meaning of HAMARTOMA is a mass resembling a tumor that represents anomalous development of tissue natural to a part or organ rather than a true tumor.