From the Guidelines
A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of cells that serves no physiological function and can be benign or malignant, as defined by the World Health Organization classification of tumors living evidence gap map by tumour type group 1.
Definition and Characteristics
A neoplasm develops when cells begin to multiply uncontrollably due to genetic mutations that disrupt normal cell growth regulation.
- Benign neoplasms grow locally without invading surrounding tissues or spreading to distant sites.
- Malignant neoplasms (cancers) can invade adjacent structures and metastasize to other parts of the body. The behavior of neoplasms depends on their tissue of origin, with some growing slowly and causing few symptoms, while others progress rapidly and can be life-threatening.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Treatment approaches vary based on the type, location, and stage of the neoplasm, potentially including surgical removal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies.
- Early detection through appropriate screening is crucial for improving outcomes, especially for malignant neoplasms, as treatment is generally more effective when initiated before extensive spread has occurred 1. The term “tumor” is used synonymously with neoplasm, as similarly defined in the human classification and the mouse models of human cancers consortium 1.
Importance of Accurate Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis and staging of neoplasms are essential for determining the best course of treatment and predicting patient outcomes.
- The World Health Organization classification of tumors provides a framework for the diagnosis and classification of neoplasms, and is regularly updated to reflect new evidence and advances in the field 1.
From the Research
Definition of Neoplasm
A neoplasm is a clonal proliferation, meaning it is a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of cells that are derived from a single cell type 2.
Characteristics of Neoplastic Conditions
Neoplastic conditions are consisted of a single cell type, whereas non-neoplastic conditions consist of multiple different cell types 2.
Types of Neoplasms
Neoplasms can be classified into two main categories:
- Epithelial tumors: characterized by oval-round to polygonal tumor cells, formation of tumor cell nests, and well-formed desmoplastic stroma 2
- Mesenchymal tumors: characterized by spindle-shaped tumor cells, diffuse arrangement in sheets, and lack of desmoplastic stroma 2
Benign vs Malignant Neoplasms
The main differences between benign and malignant tumors include:
- Differentiation: benign tumors are well-differentiated, while malignant tumors are often poorly differentiated 2, 3
- Growth rate: benign tumors grow slowly, while malignant tumors grow rapidly 2, 3
- Growth pattern: benign tumors show expansile growth with encapsulation, while malignant tumors show invasive growth with no capsule 2, 3
- Metastasis: benign tumors do not metastasize, while malignant tumors frequently metastasize 2, 3