Malignant Neoplasm

A malignant neoplasm is a cancerous tumor. It may grow, invade surrounding tissue and/or spread to other parts of your body. A fast-growing tumor that spreads may be life-threatening.

Types of malignant neoplasms

Malignant neoplasms form when cancerous cells multiply to form masses of abnormal tissue. Common types are:

• Blood cancers: These are malignant neoplasms that affect your blood cells.
• Carcinomas: These are malignant neoplasms in the lining of your organs or your skin.
• Sarcomas: These malignant neoplasms begin in your bones or connective tissue like your cartilage, muscle, tendons and fat.

Symptoms of a malignant neoplasm

Symptoms vary depending on the cancerous tumor’s location. For example, breast cancer (malignant neoplasm in your breast) may cause a lump, pain or changes in breast skin. Prostate cancer (malignant neoplasm of the prostate) may cause blood in your pee or cause you to pee more often.

Some general symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough
• Diarrhea
• Unexpected weight loss
• Drenching night sweats
• Abnormal lumps or bumps

What causes malignant neoplasms?

These tumors form when cells multiply and divide faster than they should. Unlike normal cells, cancerous cells don’t die. Cancer happens when genetic mutations turn normal cells into cancerous cells. The risk of cancer increases as you age. Certain issues or activities increase your risk. Those include:

• Smoking
• Genetics
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol use
• Chemical toxins
• Excessive exposure to radiation
• Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays

Complications

The cancerous cells that form malignant neoplasms can move through your blood or lymphatic system to affect other parts of your body. This is metastasis. Malignant neoplasms can spread anywhere in your body, but typically develop in your bones, brain, liver and lungs. Cancer that spreads from where it started is more difficult to treat.

How doctors diagnose this condition

A healthcare provider may do a CT scan or an MRI scan to look for cancer. They’ll do a biopsy to get tissue samples if they detect a possible tumor. A medical pathologist checks the samples for abnormal cells. They examine the cells for changes in cell sizes and shapes. A biopsy is the only way providers can be sure a neoplasm is cancer.

What questions should I ask about my diagnosis?

Your healthcare provider will explain where a malignant neoplasm is located, the cancer stage and grade, and the treatment options they recommend. Asking questions will help you feel more confident as you make treatment decisions.

How is a malignant neoplasm treated?

Treatment focuses on preventing the malignant neoplasm from growing or spreading. Your healthcare provider may discuss treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

If you have surgery, you may have other cancer treatments before or after surgery:

• Neoadjuvant therapy: These treatments shrink large tumors so they’re easier to remove during surgery.
• Adjuvant therapy: This is follow-up treatment to kill any remaining cancer cells.

What can I expect if I have this condition?

Your prognosis (outlook) depends on your situation, including the type of tumor, stage and location. For example, surgery may cure cancer if you have surgery to remove a small tumor that hasn’t spread. It’s more challenging to successfully treat metastatic cancer. And some malignant tumors may come back. Your healthcare provider will take time to explain any next steps after treatment so you know what to expect. 

Is there anything I can do to feel better?

There’s nothing easy about learning that you have a malignant neoplasm. Fortunately, there are special treatments that may help:

• Cancer rehabilitation: This helps you be in the best shape possible before you start treatment. You may have nutritional support, physical therapy and mental health support.
• Cancer survivorship: This is support to help you have the best quality of life throughout your experience with cancer.
• Palliative care: Your care team can help you manage symptoms and treatment side effects.

Having cancer may make you feel isolated or alone. It may help to spend time or talk to other people in your situation. Your healthcare provider can help find support groups or other community resources.

Can a malignant neoplasm be prevented?

There’s no way to prevent one from developing. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Don’t smoke.
• Protect your skin when you go outside.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well and exercising often.
• Get cancer vaccines like HPV for cervical cancer or the hepatitis B vaccine for liver cancer.
• Ask your healthcare provider about cancer screenings.
• Consider genetic testing if you have a family history of malignant neoplasms.

While you can’t prevent this condition, early diagnosis and treatment may make a difference. Take time to get to know your body. Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice changes like a lump that doesn’t go away, blood in your poop or you’re losing weight without trying.

What is the difference between neoplasm and cancer?

A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors (noncancerous neoplasms) usually grow slowly and don’t spread. However, malignant tumors (cancerous neoplasms) typically grow rapidly and invade other parts of your body.