Neoplasm (Malignant & Benign) of Breast, Prostate, Colon, Skin

Neoplasm (Malignant & Benign) of Breast, Prostate, Colon, Skin

Learn all about neoplasm (malignant and benign) of breast, prostate, colon and skin. A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that serves no purpose. A benign tumor is not a malignant tumor, which is cancer. It does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body the way cancer can. In most cases, the outlook with benign tumors is very good. But benign tumors can be serious if they press on vital structures such as blood vessels or nerves.

Tumors are of two types, benign or malignant. A benign tumor is not considered cancer. It is slow growing, does not spread or invade surrounding tissue, and once it is removed, doesn’t usually recur. A malignant tumor, on the other hand, is cancer. It invades surrounding tissue and spreads to other parts of the body. If the cancer cells have spread to the surrounding tissues, even after the malignant tumor is removed, it generally recurs.

An abnormal tissue that grows by cellular proliferation more rapidly than normal and continues to grow after the stimuli that initiated the new growth cease is called a neoplasm. Neoplasms show partial or complete lack of structural organization and functional coordination with the normal tissue, and usually form a distinct mass of tissue that may be either benign (benign tumor) or malignant (cancer).

Each year, more than 211,000 cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women in the United States. Most breast cancers occur in women, but they can also develop in men. More than 1,600 cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed each year.

Cancer treatment can take many different forms, and it is always tailored to the individual patient. The decision on which type of treatment is the most appropriate depends on the type and location of cancer, the extent to which it has already spread the patient’s age, sex, general health status and personal treatment preferences. The major types of treatment are: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and bone-marrow transplantation.

Neoplasm (Malignant & Benign) of Breast, Prostate, Colon, Skin

 

What is Neoplasm Definition?

The term neoplasm is derived from a combination of the Greek words “neo” meaning new and “plasma” meaning formation. The term neoplasm refers to an abnormal growth of tissue caused by the rapid division of cells that have undergone some form of mutation. Neoplasia refers to various types of growths including non-cancerous or benign tumors, precancerous growths, carcinoma in situ and malignant or cancerous tumors.

Malignant and Benign Neoplasm

A malignant, or cancerous, tumor, on the other hand, is innately dangerous because its cells can divide uncontrollably and produce virtually immortal daughter cells. Malignant tumor cells can penetrate and destroy adjacent tissue, and can metastasize, or travel through the circulation to distant parts of the body and form new tumors. If the cells are not cancerous, the tumor is benign. It won’t invade nearby tissues or spread to other areas of the body (metastasize). A benign tumor is less worrisome unless it is pressing on nearby tissues, nerves, or blood vessels and causing damage. Fibroids in the uterus or lipomas are examples of benign tumors.

Neoplasm of Uncertain Behavior of Skin

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior is a term used by Dr. Chris Rouse when he is not sure what the spot is on the skin but is concerned it could be skin cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. Dr. Rouse is looking for pimples that will not go away, especially after 3 months. Another common type of skin cancer is Squamous Cell Carcinoma. For this type of skin cancer, Dr. Rouse is also looking for pink or red warts, especially in adults.

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior and these types of skin cancers are much less likely than melanoma to go inside the body and hurt you, but they can still grow very large and can cause internal spread (especially squamous cell) if left alone too long.  To learn about more skin cancer services offered at Northland Dermatology be sure to visit our pages about Pre-cancers and Mole Removal.

Malignant Neoplasm of Breast

Breast tumors are classified by several factors including the size of the tumor and the stage that it has reached when it is detected. Breast tumors are measured from stage 0 through stage 4, with stage 4 tumors being the most advanced. The grade of the tumor is also looked at and this measures how the cells have differentiated themselves. Breast cancer is caused by the development of malignant cells in the breast. The malignant cells originate in the lining of the milk glands or ducts of the breast (ductal epithelium), defining this malignancy as a cancer.

Malignant Neoplasm of Prostate

Prostate cancer (PCA) is an uncontrolled malignant neoplasm of the prostate gland.  It is “the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men,” and accounted for an estimated 30,200 deaths in 2002. Risk for PCA rises drastically with age, while white males are second only to African American males at risk.  Exact causes are not known, however, family history, hormone levels, and diet are all thought to be contributing factors.

Malignant Neoplasm of Colon

The colon is a long, muscular tube that receives still-undigested food from the small intestine. It removes water from the undigested food, stores it and then finally eliminates it from the body as stool or feces through bowel movements. The rectum is the last part of the colon adjacent to the anus through which stool passes to the outside.

Cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) is a type of malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. These malignant tumors are called cancers and can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors of the colon are usually called polyps. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body like malignant tumors do. Benign polyps can be removed easily during colonoscopy and are not life threatening.

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