Neoplasms, also known as tumors, are pathological masses, caused by cells abnormally proliferating and/or not appropriately dying. Neoplasms may be either benign or malignant. Malignant neoplasms are synonymous with cancers.
Benign neoplasms
- clear origin (unless very large)
- slow growth
- usually well-defined margins
- do not metastasize
- do not invade adjacent organs/tissues
- may transform, i.e. become malignant
- often asymptomatic, increased mortality unlikely
Malignant neoplasms
- origin not always clear
- variable growth, usually faster than benign tumors
- often ill-defined margins
- may metastasize to lymph nodes, distant organs
- may invade adjacent organs/tissues
- often symptomatic and potentially lethal
History and etymology
Neoplasm is derived from two Greek root words, νεος (neos) meaning 'new' and πλασμα (plasma) meaning 'a molded object' 3,4.
