Difference between revisions of "Tumor"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | A ''' | + | A '''tumor''' is an abnormal and functionless mass of [[tissue]] within a living body that is not inflammatory and arises from pre-existent tissue. This can either be benign (non-cancer) or malignant ([[cancer]]). Malignant tumors (cancer) are more invasive and can spread ([[metastasis|metastasize]]) to other parts of the body. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, cancer was (as of 2004) the second leading cause of death in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm|title=NCHS FASTATS}}</ref> However, internally even benign tumors can cause harm, for example, by occupying space or exerting pressure on adjacent organs or tissues. |
[[Category:Medicine]] | [[Category:Medicine]] | ||
| − | ==== | + | ==== References ==== |
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== External links ==== | ||
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001310.htm Medical encyclopædia entry (as mirrored on nih.gov)] | * [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001310.htm Medical encyclopædia entry (as mirrored on nih.gov)] | ||
Revision as of 02:09, January 14, 2008
A tumor is an abnormal and functionless mass of tissue within a living body that is not inflammatory and arises from pre-existent tissue. This can either be benign (non-cancer) or malignant (cancer). Malignant tumors (cancer) are more invasive and can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, cancer was (as of 2004) the second leading cause of death in the United States.[1] However, internally even benign tumors can cause harm, for example, by occupying space or exerting pressure on adjacent organs or tissues.