| The term neoplasia means new growth which when
produced is called as neoplasm or tumour. however all new growth
are not tumour since new growth of tissues and cells exist in the
process of embryogenesis, regeneration & repair, hyperplasia &
hormonal stimulation The proliferation & maturation of cells in
normal adults is controlled as a result of which some cells
proliferate throughout life ( labile cells), some have limited
proliferation ( stable cells) while others do not replicate (
permanent cells). On the other hand tumour cells loose control &
regulation of replication & form an abnormal mass of tissue.
Hence tumour may be defined as " a mass of tissue formed
as a result of abnormal, excessive, uncoordinated, autonomous &
purposeless proliferation of cells". The branch of science dealing
with the study of tumours/ neoplasm is called as oncology( oncos =
tumour, logos= study)
Neoplasms may be benign ( slow growing, localised) or malignant
( rapid proliferation & spreading). The common term used for all
malignant tumours is cancer. |
|
