Benign tumors typically exhibit slow growth, often encased within a thin, membranous capsule. They tend to grow by displacing surrounding tissues rather than invading them, and their development can span months to years. Pain is uncommon with benign tumors, and when it occurs, it's usually attributable to indirect factors rather than the tumor itself.

In contrast, malignant tumors (cancers) are characterized by more rapid growth and the potential to spread (metastasize) to regional lymph nodes and distant organs such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones. They invade adjacent tissues, impairing their normal function. For instance, invasion of nearby nerves can disrupt their proper operation. Furthermore, malignant tumors often cause pain once they reach a certain size. This pain can result from the tumor's invasion of structures like bone or the temporomandibular joint, or directly from affecting pain-sensitive nerves in the head and face region.