Malignancy

Reviewed By David C. Dugdale III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department…more »

Definition

The term "malignancy" refers to cancerous cells that usually have the ability to spread, invade, and destroy tissue. Malignant cells tend to have fast, uncontrolled growth due to changes in their genetic makeup.

Malignant cells that are resistant to treatment may return after all detectable traces of them have been removed or destroyed.

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:1345-1348.

Date Last Reviewed: 11/10/2008

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Malignancy

Definition

References

Multiple Malignancy Images

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