What is the primary characteristic of a benign tumor?

A benign tumor is primarily characterized by its inability to spread to other parts of the body. This means that, unlike malignant tumors, benign tumors typically remain localized to the site where they originated and do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize (spread to distant sites). This characteristic significantly affects treatment decisions and prognosis, as benign tumors are often less aggressive and tend to be removed surgically without the need for further interventions like chemotherapy or radiation.

The other choices involve attributes more closely associated with malignant tumors. For example, malignant tumors are known for invasive properties and the ability to metastasize, which allows them to establish secondary tumors elsewhere in the body. Additionally, systemic symptoms are often related to malignant tumors rather than benign ones, as the latter generally do not produce such widespread effects on the body. Thus, the characteristic of not spreading to other areas distinguishes benign tumors in the context of medical coding and understanding tumor behavior.