tumour

views updated

tumour An abnormal growth of new tissue that occurs anywhere in the body. Such a growth may be harmless or benign (e.g. a wart). Alternatively it may be malignant, destroying the tissue upon which it grows. It may also invade other tissues through the process of metastasis, in which cells sloughed off from the tumour are carried to other parts of the body. See also CANCER CELL.

More From encyclopedia.com