tumor
n. countablen. a mass of extra cells that grows in or on the body. Some are harmless, but others can cause serious health problems like cancer.
n. an abnormal mass of tissue resulting from excessive cell division. It may be benign, meaning it does not spread, or malignant, indicating a cancerous growth.
The doctor found a small tumor during the routine scan.
After the biopsy, the medical team confirmed that the tumor was benign and required no further treatment.
Advances in oncology have allowed surgeons to target the tumor with extreme precision, minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue during the procedure.
From Middle English tumour, from Old French tumour, from Latin tumor (“swelling”), from tumeō (“bulge, swell”, verb), from Proto-Italic tumēō, from Proto-Indo-European tewh₂- (“to swell”). Related to English thumb.
Commonly modified by the adjectives 'benign' or 'malignant' to indicate the level of health risk.