What does neoplasm mean?
A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of cells or tissue caused by disordered cell division or proliferation. It may be benign, meaning that it does not invade nearby tissue or spread, or malignant, meaning that it can invade surrounding structures or disseminate to distant parts of the body. The term is especially common in medicine, pathology, and oncology, where it forms part of a more precise vocabulary than the general word tumor. A benign neoplasm is often described as noncancerous, while a malignant neoplasm is a cancer. The word is also used in discussions of tumor biology, including formation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Although “tumor” and “neoplasm” are often used interchangeably in nontechnical writing, neoplasm emphasizes the biological process of abnormal cellular growth.
nounA neoplasm is an abnormal growth of cells or tissue that may be benign or malignant. In clinical usage, the term refers specifically to a tumor arising from abnormal cell proliferation.
- An abnormal growth of cells or tissue, whether benign or malignant.
"The biopsy revealed a benign neoplasm with no evidence of invasive growth."
"The patient underwent surgery to remove the benign neoplasm."
"Researchers are studying how inflammation may promote the formation of a malignant neoplasm."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"Several neoplasms were detected during the screening examination."
Every cancer is a malignant neoplasm, but not every neoplasm is cancerous.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of neoplasm
Neoplasm comes from Greek néos, meaning “new,” and plásma, meaning “something formed” or “formative tissue.” The term was developed in medical usage during the 19th century to describe a new and abnormal growth of tissue. Its relatives, including neoplasia and neoplastic, derive from the same Greek elements, while words such as plasma and plastic continue the related idea of formation.
Related word forms
How neoplasm is actually used
This is a formal medical and scientific term. In clinical contexts, it is often used when discussing the abnormal cellular growth underlying a tumor, and it may be modified as benign or malignant. The spelling tumour is traditional British English, while tumor is standard in US English and also widely accepted in Britain.
Easily confused with neoplasm
A tumor is a broader term for a swelling or mass, whereas a neoplasm specifically refers to an abnormal growth produced by neoplastic cell proliferation.