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A neoplasm, also known as a tumor, is an abnormal growth of cells in the body. A neoplasm can be a benign growth like a mole or a cancerous or pre-cancerous tumor. Most neoplasms are not harmful to your health, but they can be. It is critical to show your healthcare provider if you have a neoplasm.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A NEOPLASM
A visible neoplasm may be the same color or texture as your skin, or it may be a different color or texture. They are usually painless, but they can sting or bleed, which distinguishes them from warts. Neoplasms can grow slowly, and it is uncommon for a neoplasm to grow quickly.
Small growths on the surface of your skin or inside reachable areas of your body, such as your ear canals or nostrils, may be visible. Neoplasms can also develop inside your body, where they are not visible.
Internal neoplasms can cause visible bumps in some cases, but they are usually located deep beneath the surface of your skin, where they would not cause a visible change from the outside.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF NEOPLASM?
There are trillions of normal, healthy cells in the human body. These cells grow, divide, multiply, die, and are replaced in a timed and controlled manner. In the case of a neoplasm, however, the cells may grow more quickly or survive for longer than expected.
Neoplasms can be benign growths, cancerous tumors, or precancerous tumors:
- A benign neoplasm: This is a growth that lacks the cellular characteristics of cancer or pre-cancer and is thus unlikely to become dangerous.
- A pre-cancerous tumor: This has the characteristics of a malignant tumor, but it has not yet developed into cancer and has not spread.
- Cancer: This is a type of neoplasm that can spread quickly and cause harm to the body. A malignant neoplasm is cancerous, whereas a metastatic neoplasm is cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Benign Neoplasms
Benign neoplasms, also known as birthmarks, can appear in late childhood or adulthood. Benign tumors typically grow slowly, if at all, and are not usually life-threatening. These are caused by a limited cell overgrowth, which is usually unrelated to a known cause.
Benign neoplasms include the following:
- Skin moles
- Skin tags (acrochordons)
- Sebaceous gland cysts (sweat glands)
- Breast cysts that typically appear during pregnancy
- Encapsulated skin growth, which is frequently caused by an insect bite or infection.
- Scar tissue that has risen (keloids)
- Uterine fibroids
The fact that benign tumors are not cancer does not preclude them from causing problems. Fibroids, for example, can cause significant bleeding and pain, necessitating removal.
Pre-Cancer Neoplasms
Pre-cancerous neoplasms are non-cancerous growths that have the potential to become cancer. A microscopic examination of the neoplasm is usually used to make the diagnosis.
Malignant Neoplasms
Cancer is defined as a metastatic neoplasm. It is most commonly associated with DNA damage in a cell. This damage causes genetic mutations, which cause abnormal cells to lose their normal function, multiply more quickly, live longer, and invade other cells and tissues.
Certain factors, such as genetics, sun exposure, and toxic substances, can cause these mutations. For example, smoking can increase a person's risk of lung cancer, whereas excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver cancer.
A malignant neoplasm can grow in any part of the body and can also metastasize (spread) to almost any part of the body. A malignant neoplasm can begin as a physical mass, such as a breast tumor, or as an overproduction of a cell type, such as leukemia, a type of cancer characterized by an excess of blood cells.
NEOPLASM CLASSIFICATION
A neoplasm is considered benign if it cannot spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
It can be difficult to determine whether a neoplasm is benign or malignant. Often, your healthcare provider can tell the difference based on the growth's appearance, texture, and history. However, when in doubt, a biopsy can be useful.
A benign neoplasm has a very different microscopic appearance than a cancerous or pre-cancerous growth:
- A benign neoplasm is typically composed of cells that appear normal and have regular spacing between them.
- A cancerous or pre-cancerous neoplasm typically has cells that are abnormal in size, shape, or color, as well as crowded and irregular spacing between the cells and potential invasion into nearby capillaries (tiny blood vessels).
CONCLUSION
The term neoplasm does not imply cancer. If you or your healthcare provider come across one, there's a good chance it'll be completely harmless. Even if it isn't, many cancers are now curable with high success rates.
If you notice an unusual growth on your body, contact your primary care physician as soon as possible. A physical exam, blood tests, imaging tests, or a tissue biopsy may be required depending on the location of the growth. After that, if anything appears suspicious, you'll have a better chance of getting it diagnosed and treated early, when success rates are highest.