Neoplasms
A neoplasm is a type of abnormal and excessive growth, called neoplasia, of tissue. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists in growing abnormally, even if the original trigger is removed. This abnormal growth usually forms a mass, when it may be called a tumor. ICD-10 classifies
neoplasms into four main groups: benign neoplasms, in situ neoplasms, malignant neoplasms, and
neoplasms of uncertain or unknown behavior. Malignant
neoplasms are also simply known as cancers and are the focus of oncology. Prior to the abnormal growth of tissue, as neoplasia,
cells often undergo an abnormal pattern of growth, such as metaplasia or dysplasia. However, metaplasia or dysplasia does not always progress to neoplasia and can occur in other conditions as well. A neoplasm can be benign, potentially malignant, or malignant. Benign tumors include uterine fibroids, osteophytes and melanocytic nevi. They are circumscribed and localized and do not transform into cancer. Potentially-malignant
neoplasms include carcinoma in situ. They are localised, do not invade and destroy but in time, may transform into a cancer. Malignant
neoplasms are commonly called cancer. They invade and destroy the surrounding tissue, may form
metastases and, if untreated or unresponsive to treatment, will generally prove fatal. Secondary neoplasm refers to any of a class of cancerous
tumor that is either a metastatic offshoot of a primary tumor, or an apparently unrelated
tumor that increases in frequency following certain
cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Rarely there can be a metastatic neoplasm with no known site of the primary
cancer and this is classed as a
cancer of unknown primary origin.
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