
Definition of malignancy - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
malignancy (muh-LIG-nun-see) A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Malignant cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the …
Malignancy - Wikipedia
Malignancy (from Latin male 'badly' and -gnus 'born') is the tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse; the term is most familiar as a characterization of cancer.
Malignant Neoplasm: What It Is, Types & Factors - Cleveland Clinic
Feb 2, 2022 · A malignant neoplasm is a cancerous tumor. It develops when abnormal cells grow, multiply and spread to other parts of your body.
Malignancy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Aug 28, 2024 · The term malignancy refers to the presence of cancerous cells that have the ability to spread to other sites in the body (metastasize) or to invade nearby (locally) and destroy tissues.
What Are Neoplasms and Tumors? - American Cancer Society
Mar 31, 2025 · Not all tumors are cancer. Tumors and neoplasms are considered malignant if their abnormal cells can invade surrounding tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Medical Definition and Characteristics of Malignant - Verywell Health
Sep 3, 2024 · A malignant tumor (cancerous tumor) is one that is invasive and can spread to other parts of the body. 1 In contrast, tumors that stay localized and don't spread are called benign.
Cancer - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Nov 19, 2024 · Find out the basics about cancer, including symptoms, causes and treatments. Learn steps you can take to prevent cancer.
Does 'Malignant' Mean Cancer? - eMedicineHealth
What Does 'Malignant' Mean? “Malignant” is a term used to describe active cancer cells or tumors. This is a general term, however, and may be applied to any condition that is serious enough to lead to a …
Malignant Tumors: How They Develop, Spread, and Impact Cancer …
Apr 30, 2025 · The term “malignant” is used to describe cells that behave aggressively—they grow uncontrollably, invade nearby tissues, and have the ability to spread (metastasize) to distant parts of …
Cancer: Sarcoma, Carcinoma, Lymphoma, and Leukemia - WebMD
Jul 1, 2024 · Benign, or noncancerous, tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, and do not create new tumors. Malignant, or cancerous, tumors crowd out healthy cells, interfere with body …