What is the Difference Between Neoplasm and Neoplasia

The main difference between neoplasm and neoplasia is that neoplasm is the abnormal, excessive growth of tissue, whereas the process that forms a neoplasm is neoplasia.

Neoplasm and neoplasia are two abnormal growths of tissue. It can be benign or malignant.   

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Neoplasm
– Definition, Facts, Types
2. What is Neoplasia
– Definition, Facts, Examples
3. Similarities Between Neoplasm and Neoplasia
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Neoplasm and Neoplasia
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Neoplasia, Neoplasm

Difference Between Neoplasm and Neoplasia - Comparison Summary

What is Neoplasm

Neoplasm is an abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. Notably, the growth of the neoplasm has no coordination with the surrounding tissue. Also, it persists, growing abnormally, forming a mass called a tumor. Neoplasms can be benign, potentially malignant, or malignant. Benign tumors are mass of cells that does not invade neighboring body tissues. Also, their growth rate is slow. They contain relatively well-differentiated cells. They tend to occur within the epithelium. Osteophytes, uterine fibroids, and melanocytic nevi (skin moles) are benign neoplasms.

Compare Neoplasm and Neoplasia

Figure 1: Carcinoma In Situ

Furthermore, carcinoma in situ is an example of a potentially malignant neoplasm. Mostly, it is not recognized as a cancer. But it has the potential to become cancer. Bowen’s disease is an example of carcinoma in situ. In contrast, malignant tumors are cancers. They invade neighboring tissues, and they have a relatively high growth rate. By metastasis, they destroy the surrounding tissue. Also, they are proven fatal if untreated. In addition to that, secondary neoplasm refers to a metastatic offshoot of a primary tumor, which is cancerous. Some metastatic neoplasms can have an unknown origin. Additionally, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the two forms of treatment for the neoplasm. 

What is Neoplasia

Neoplasia is the new growth. Normal cells become neoplastic by developing mutations. Then, they do not obey the boundaries of adjacent cells and grow uncontrolled. Also, they produce their blood supply. They invade the basement membrane and enter the bloodstream, spreading to distant organs and grow. Neoplasia is the formation of the abnormal growth of cells forming tumors, nodules, or masses of cells. General categories of neoplasia include adenoma, carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and germ cell tumors.

Neoplasm vs Neoplasia

Figure 2: Colon cancer

Moreover, glandular cells produce benign neoplasm. Carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm derived from epithelial cells. Sarcoma is a malignant neoplasm developed from mesenchymal cells. Lymphocytes develop malignant neoplasm called lymphoma. Melanocytes develop a malignant neoplasm called melanoma. Also, germ cells develop malignant neoplasm called germ cell tumors. The nomenclature of both benign and malignant neoplasm ends up with -oma. 

Similarities Between Neoplasm and Neoplasia

  • Neoplasm and neoplasia are two abnormal growths of tissue that cause malignant or benign cancer. 

Difference Between Neoplasm and Neoplasia

Definition

Neoplasm refers to the new and abnormal growth of tissue in a part of the body, especially as a characteristic of cancer. In contrast, neoplasia refers to the presence or formation of new, abnormal tissue growth.

Significance

Neoplasm is the abnormal, excessive growth of tissue, while the process that forms a neoplasm is neoplasia.

Formation

A neoplasm can be benign, potentially malignant, or malignant, while neoplasia develops through mutations. 

Conclusion

In brief, neoplasm and neoplasia are two growths of abnormal cell masses, tumors, or nodules. Neoplasm is the abnormal growth of tissue. They can be benign, potentially malignant, and malignant. Benign tumors are not cancers, and they have a slow growth rate. Malignant tumors are cancers, and they have a higher growth rate. In comparison, neoplasia is the formation of tumors. There are different forms of tumors depending on the site of formation. They develop through the occurrence of mutations. Therefore, the main difference between neoplasm and neoplasia is their significance.  

References:
  1. Chapter 4. neoplasia. McGraw Hill Medical. (n.d.). 
  2. Wikimedia Foundation. (2023p, July 9). Neoplasm. Wikipedia. 
Image Courtesy:
  1. In situ carcinoma-en” By Jmarchn – Own work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
  2. Image of resected colon segment with cancer & 4 nearby polyps plus schematic of field defects with sub-clones” By Bernstein0275 – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lakna

Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things. She has a keen interest in writing articles regarding science.

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