Neoplasm
Also known as: tumor, tumour, new growth
Any abnormal new growth of tissue, which may be benign or malignant.
Definition
A neoplasm (literally "new growth") is any abnormal mass of tissue that grows beyond what the surrounding normal tissue does, even after the original trigger is removed. Neoplasms can be benign (non-cancerous, slow-growing, do not invade), or malignant — cancer — with the ability to invade surrounding tissue and metastasise.
A biopsy is usually required to determine which kind of neoplasm is present. "Tumour" is often used as a synonym, although strictly speaking a tumour is just any swelling.
See also
- Benign — A non-cancerous growth that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other organs.
- Invasive — Cancer that has grown beyond its starting layer into surrounding tissue.
- Biopsy — A small sample of tissue taken from the body and examined under a microscope.
- Carcinoma — Cancer that begins in the surface (epithelial) cells lining the skin and internal organs.
- Sarcoma — A relatively rare cancer that arises from connective tissues such as bone, muscle, fat or cartilage.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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