Cancer Glossary

Cancer: any malignant, cellular tumor; cancers are divided into two broad categories of carcinoma and sarcomas.

Neoplasm: an abnormal new growth of tissue in animals or plants; a tumor

Tumor:  1.)  a swelling; a cardinal sign of inflammation.  2.)  neoplasm: a new growth of tissue in which cell multiplication is
uncontrolled and progressive.

Benign tumor:  one lacking the properties of invasion and metastasis and showing a lesser degree of abnormal cellularity than
do malignant tumors.  These are usually surrounded by a fibrous capsule.

Malignant tumor:  has the properties of invasion and metastasis and displays cells with widely varying characteristics

Carcinoma:  a malignant growth made up of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate surrounding tissues and gives rise to
metastases.

Sarcoma:  a malignant tumor originating from connective tissue or blood or lymphatic tissues.

Metastasize:  spread throughout the body, of cancer cells

Growth:  can refer to any kind of an abnormal increase in size of tissue

Lump:  can be a growth or fluid filled cyst or any structure raising above the normal surface of a tissue plane.