Malignancy

Malignancy

A cancerous tumor.

A malignant tumor—in contrast to a benign tumor—is one that spreads throughout the tissues or organ in which it originates and expands to other parts of the body as well (metastasizes). A malignant tumor is usually life-threatening, causing death if it remains untreated. If treated, the spread of a malignant tumor may be slowed or even arrested. Depending on the amount of tissue damage prior to treatment, tissue or organ function may be compromised.

See also Biopsy, Cancer, and Tumor.