Carcinogenesis Health Article

Differentiation

—A change to a more mature phenotype or appearance.

Dysplasia

—A abnormal appearance of cells caused by cancer.

Malignant

—A cancerous or invasive tumor.

Metastatic

—A tumor with the ability to break off and grow in a distant location.

Mutation

—A change in the genetic code that can be inherited or acquired.

Oncogene

—A gene involved in normal cell growth that when mutated can lead to unregulated cell growth or cancer.

Proliferation

—Reproduction of a cell. It differs from growth in that it is a change in number rather than size.

Tumor suppressor gene

—A gene involved in slowing down cell growth so that if inactivated allows growth to progress without control.