I. What: Define, Classify, Name, Recognise

1. DEFINE: Neoplasia(“new growth”) Neoplasm: An abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and is uncoordinated with that of the normal tissues and persists in the same excessive manner after cessation of the stimuli which evoked the change.

– Willis (British oncologist), quoted from Robbins and Cotrans’ Pathologic Basis of Disease

In general, the words “neoplasm” and “tumour” are used interchangeably. Neoplasms can be benign or malignant.

2. CLASSIFY: Benign vs Malignant

Click HERE for a table showing main differences between Benign and Malignant neoplasms.

3. NAME: Neoplasms are named according to the tissue type and nature (benign vs malignant). Most tissue types will have both benign and malignant counterparts.

Click HERE to view a table on nomenclature.

Note that there are some exceptions which sound benign but are actually malignant! Check your lecture notes for these, or the mindmap in a later page.

4. RECOGNISE: How can we tell if a tumour is Benign or Malignant?

How to tell? LOOK !!

grumpy cat pic for look

– Gross – diagnostic imaging; pathologic examination

– Micro – pathologic examination

This is Morphology – Neoplasms form masses. They can be seen with the naked eye –  superficial tumours are inspected and palpated, while deep seated tumours are visualized using radiologic imaging.

Click here to appreciate some GROSS and MICROSCOPIC characteristics of Benign vs Malignant tumours.

Here is a MINDMAP that describes tumour morphology:

 

 

Now that you can recognise and name some tumours, click HERE for some EXERCISES!