From the Guidelines
A malignancy is a type of cancer characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, invasion, and metastasis to other parts of the body, as defined by the ability to exhibit true malignant behavior, such as uncontrollable growth, destruction, and metastasis 1.
Key Characteristics of Malignancy
- Invasion of surrounding tissues and organs
- Metastasis to distant sites, such as lymph nodes, bones, or other organs
- Uncontrolled cell growth, leading to tumor formation and potential organ dysfunction
- Abnormal morphology, genetics, and behavior of malignant cells The diagnosis of malignancy is often based on criteria such as size, invasion of airways, blood or lymphatic vessels, regional and distant metastasis, and ability to grow upon transplantation 1.
Diagnostic Criteria
- Size over 5 mm in diameter
- Invasion of airways, blood or lymphatic vessels
- Regional and distant metastasis
- Ability to grow upon transplantation It is essential to note that the term "malignant" has been used variably in the literature, but it generally refers to the presence of invasive carcinoma or high-grade dysplasia (carcinoma in-situ) 1.
From the Research
Definition of Malignancy
- Malignancy refers to a type of tumor or cancer that is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, invasion, and metastasis 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Malignant tumors originate from mutated stem cells and attract a variety of host cells, leading to the development of a complex network of ecosystems 2
Characteristics of Malignant Tumors
- Uncontrolled growth and division of cells 3, 4
- Invasion of surrounding tissues and organs 2, 5
- Metastasis, or the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Ability to attract and manipulate host cells to support tumor growth and metastasis 2
Examples of Malignant Tumors
- Lung cancer, a type of malignant tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in the lung 4
- Non-small-cell lung cancer, a type of lung cancer that can spread to other parts of the body through metastasis 4
- Other types of cancer, such as chronic myeloid leukemia, gastric cancer, and breast cancer, which can also exhibit malignant characteristics 3