NEOPLASIA

What it is

Neoplasia or neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue arising from an aibnormal proliferation of cells not controlled by the surrounding tissue. As this excessive growth persists, a lump or tumour is usually formed.

Diagnosis

The key in diagnosis is determining
if a tumour is benign or maligmant. This can only be found out with certainty through tests in a laboratory.
The first diagnostic step inc:ludes ordering imaging test to have the best view of the inside of the patient 's body.
These help the doctor view the tumour as a whole and the area affected. Imaging tests include: ultrasounds (to determine if the mass is solid or liquid), X-rays or magnetic resonance. Once the doctor has seen the image, the next step is a biopsy,
i.e. the removal of a small parlt of tissue, which will be examined under a microscope.

WARM UP

What is the difference between a tumour and cancer?
a. There is no difference, they are synonyms.
b. Cancer is when cells divide uncontrollably anywhere, while a tumour occurs in solid tissue.
c. Cancer is when cells divide uncontrollably anywhere, while a tumour occurs in smooth organs.

Types of neoplasia

The different types of neoplasm can be: benign, pre-malignant or cancerous.

  • Benign neoplasms. These are non­cancerous forms, such as skin moles1, lipomas or uterine fibroids.
  • Pre-malignant neoplasms. These have the potential to become cancerous. The cells proliferate in their site of origin and do not spread, but unfortunately sometimes they can develop a carcinoma with a high risk of turning into cancer1.
  • Malignant or cancerous neoplasms. These have the following features: abnormal cell growth, the capacity to invade other tissues and to spread to distant organs via blood vessels
    or lymphatic channels. Cancer can take over the whole body and kill the host. Tumours can grow for a variety of reasons, but the process by which they grow is the same. Normally, body cells refresh themselves naturally by dividing. However, in the case of tumours, dead cells may remain behind and form a growth known as a tumour.
MORE

1 In the 18th century, people used to wear fake moles as beauty marks. In England, artificial beauty marks were known as plasters or patches, since they often covered scars.

DO

1 The use of the word cancer in medicine is quite recent.
☐ True ☐ False

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