Neoplasia is the term used to describe an abnormal growth of cells within the body, and is usually associated with cancer. Healthy cells grow and replicate in a regulated manner, which means that cells die and are then replaced by new cells. A neoplasm occurs when the regulation of cell division is disrupted in some way, leading to rapid growth of cells in a particular part of the body. These growths are detrimental to health and can affect surrounding cells and tissues.
There are three types of neoplasms that can occur, which are benign, premalignant, and malignant. The three types differ in the ability of the abnormal cells to spread or metastasize. All types of neoplasms have health effects associated with them, but these differ in severity.
A benign neoplasm is a tumor that does not metastasize or spread to other cells, tissues, or organs. Of the three types of neoplasms, this is the safest because it is not progressive and does not invade other parts of the body. The reason this type of neoplasm does not spread is because it is surrounded by a layer of cells, or fibrous sheath, that contains the abnormal cells. Health problems associated with benign neoplasia include compression of neighboring organs and blood vessels as the neoplasm grows. Examples of this type of neoplasm include moles and lesions found in the lining of the uterus, called fibroids.
Premalignant neoplasm is also known as carcinoma in situ. Like benign neoplasm, premalignant neoplasm does not spread to other surrounding organs and tissues. The cells that make up this neoplasm usually grow within the organ where the initial abnormal growth began, leading to lesions on the surface or lining of the organ itself, such as those seen with skin cancer. In some cases, these types of neoplasms form tumors depending on the organ in which they are found, such as within the breast. Premalignant neoplasm is not cancerous, but can become malignant if left untreated.
A malignant neoplasm is basically cancer. Of the various types of neoplasms, this is the most serious, as it can invade surrounding organs and tissues and also spread to other parts of the body through metastases. During this process, cells break away from the neoplasm and travel through blood vessels to other parts of the body. When the cancer cell reaches the new tissue or organ, it continues to replicate and creates a new growth at that site. Early detection and treatment are the key to successfully defeating this type of neoplasm.