Cancer or Malignant Neoplasm
The medical term for cancer is malignant neoplasm. Cancer is in a disease class that
is characterized by a group of cells displaying: uncontrolled cell growth, invasion of
cells next to the cancer cells, and possibly metastasis spread to other body locations.
A benign tumor is different from a malignant cancer. The benign tumor does not have
uncontrolled growth, does not invade adjacent cells or spread to other body locations.
A tumor is generally formed as a result of a most malignant cancers. Leukemia, however,
does not form a tumor. Oncology is the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of
cancer. The chances of being affected by cancer increase as an individual grows older.
A person of any age, however, can get cancer.
The abnormalities of genetic material contained in transferred cells is the typical cause of cancer
in the body. Carcinogens can also lead to the abnormalities that result in cancer. Some
of the carcinogens in this cancer causing group include: chemicals, tobacco smoke, infectious
agents or radiation. Other abnormalities that can lead to cancer include inheritance from
an individual's parents or errors in DNA (component of chromosomes containing the genetic
characteristics of a person's life form) replication. Furthermore, cancers can be inherited
The diagnosis of cancer generally involves the histologic exam of a tissue specimen obtained
from a biopsy by a pathologist. A cancer malignancy can sometimes be detected from the
symptoms an individual exhibits or abnormalities in radiographic images. Malignant cancers
are usually treated through a combined process of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Some cancers can be treated and cured but it's highly dependent on the stage, type and
location of the cancer. The type of cancer, extent of the disease, and the stage will
influence the cancer patient's prognosis.
