Chapter 7 general information

Neoplasia

• New growth

• Cells exhibit uncontrolled proliferation

Neoplasm

• A new growth of tissue in which growth is uncontrolled and progressive

Tumor

• means swelling, but is often used as a synonym for neoplasm

Discription of Neoplasia

• The occurrence of neoplasia: an irreversible change must take place in the cells. This change must be passed on tonew cells and result in uncontrollable cell multiplication

• It is an abnormal process

Causes of neoplasia

•Many agents have been shown to cause neoplastic transformation of cells in the laboratory

•Chemicals: Hundreds of different ones

•Viruses: Called oncogenic viruses

•Radiation: Sunlight, x-rays, nuclear fission

•It can also occur spontaneously as a result of a genetic mutation

Benign Tumor or neoplasia

•Remains localized

•May be encapsulated with fibrous connective tissue

•It can invade adjacent tissue, but does not have the ability to spread to distant sites

Malignant tumor

•Invades and destroys surrounding tissue

•Has the ability to spread throughout the body