Malignant
Encyclopedia
Malignancy is the tendency of a medical condition, especially tumor
s, to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death. Malignancy in cancers is characterized by anaplasia
, invasiveness, and metastasis
. Malignant is a corresponding adjectival
medical term used to describe a severe and progressively worsening disease. The term is most familiar as a description of cancer
. A malignant tumor may be contrasted with a non-cancerous benign tumor in that a malignancy is not self-limited in its growth, is capable of invading into adjacent tissues, and may be capable of spreading to distant tissues (metastasizing
), while a benign tumor has none of those properties. Malignant tumor is synonymous with cancer.
Uses of "malignant" in oncology
:
Non-oncologic disorders referred to as "malignant":
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
s, to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death. Malignancy in cancers is characterized by anaplasia
Anaplasia
Anaplasia refers to a reversion of differentiation in cells and is characteristic of malignant neoplasms . Sometimes, the term also includes an increased capacity for multiplication. Lack of differentiation is considered a hallmark of aggressive malignancies. The term anaplasia literally means "to...
, invasiveness, and metastasis
Metastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
. Malignant is a corresponding adjectival
Adjective
In grammar, an adjective is a 'describing' word; the main syntactic role of which is to qualify a noun or noun phrase, giving more information about the object signified....
medical term used to describe a severe and progressively worsening disease. The term is most familiar as a description of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. A malignant tumor may be contrasted with a non-cancerous benign tumor in that a malignancy is not self-limited in its growth, is capable of invading into adjacent tissues, and may be capable of spreading to distant tissues (metastasizing
Metastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
), while a benign tumor has none of those properties. Malignant tumor is synonymous with cancer.
Uses of "malignant" in oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
:
- Malignancy, malignant neoplasm, and malignant tumor are synonymous with cancerCancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
- Malignant ascitesAscitesAscites is a gastroenterological term for an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.The medical condition is also known as peritoneal cavity fluid, peritoneal fluid excess, hydroperitoneum or more archaically as abdominal dropsy. Although most commonly due to cirrhosis and severe liver...
- Malignant transformationMalignant transformationMalignant transformation is the process by which cells acquire the properties of cancer. This may occur as a primary process in normal tissue, or secondarily as malignant degeneration of a previously existing benign tumor....
Non-oncologic disorders referred to as "malignant":
- Malignant hypertensionMalignant hypertensionMalignant hypertension or hypertensive emergency is severe hypertension with acute impairment of an organ system and the possibility of irreversible organ-damage...
- Malignant hyperthermiaMalignant hyperthermiaMalignant hyperthermia or malignant hyperpyrexia is a rare life-threatening condition that is usually triggered by exposure to certain drugs used for general anesthesia; specifically, the volatile anesthetic agents and the neuromuscular blocking agent, succinylcholine...
- Malignant otitis externa
- Malignant tertian malaria (Malaria caused specifically by Plasmodium falciparumPlasmodium falciparumPlasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite, one of the species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans. It is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria caused by this species is the most dangerous form of malaria, with the highest rates of complications and mortality...
) - Neuroleptic malignant syndromeNeuroleptic malignant syndromeNeuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life- threatening neurological disorder most often caused by an adverse reaction to neuroleptic or antipsychotic drugs...
See also
- BenignityBenignityBenignity [from Latin benignus , from bonus + genus ] is a medical term used to describe a condition that is harmless...
(the opposite of malignancy) - Malignant narcissismMalignant NarcissismMalignant narcissism has been described as "an extreme form of antisocial personality disorder that is manifest in a person who is pathologically grandiose, lacking in conscience and behavioral regulation, and with characteristic demonstrations of joyful cruelty and sadism".Malignant narcissism is...
- Premalignant