Neoplasm

Updated: 03.08.2023
Approved by: General Practitioner, Alice Pan

‘Neo’ means new, and ‘plasma’ comes from a word meaning growth. A neoplasm is a growth of cells that have no useful purpose. It is a synonym for a tumour. A neoplasm can be benign, like a wart, but it can also be malignant like cancer. Two examples of malignant neoplasms are carcinoma and melanoma.

Benign and malignant neoplasms

Neoplasm is a medical term that refers to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. These abnormal cells can develop into tumours or cancer. Neoplasms can be benign or malignant, depending on whether they have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.

Benign neoplasms are usually not cancerous and grow slowly. They can usually be removed surgically, and patients can expect to make a full recovery after treatment.

Malignant neoplasms, also known as cancer, can grow rapidly and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic or bloodstream. Cancer treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these depending on the type and stage of cancer.

It is important to remember that not all neoplasms develop into cancer, but that all cancers begin as a neoplasm. Early detection and treatment of neoplasms can be crucial to avoid the development of cancer and ensure the best possible outcome.