What term is used to refer to lesions that are noncancerous?

The term "benign" is used to refer to lesions that are noncancerous. Benign lesions do not invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body, which distinguishes them from malignant lesions that are cancerous and can be aggressive. Noncancerous lesions may cause health issues or require monitoring, but they generally have a better prognosis and are less concerning compared to malignant ones.

In contrast, malignant lesions involve cancerous growths that are characterized by uncontrolled cell division and the potential to metastasize, which is not applicable to benign lesions. The term "carcinogenic" refers to substances or agents that can cause cancer, not to the nature of the lesions themselves. "Pathological" relates to the study of diseases, including both benign and malignant conditions, but does not specifically define the noncancerous nature of lesions. Thus, "benign" is the most accurate term for noncancerous lesions.