neoplasia
Meaning of neoplasia: Neoplasia is the process of abnormal cell growth that forms a new, uncontrolled mass of tissue, which may be benign or malignant.
Definition of neoplasia
Neoplasia is the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, forming a new mass of tissue called a neoplasm. This growth occurs independently of the normal signals that regulate how and when cells divide, distinguishing it from ordinary tissue growth or repair.
Neoplasia can be benign, meaning the abnormal growth does not invade surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body, or malignant, meaning it has the potential to invade nearby tissue and spread, as occurs in cancer. Some conditions are described by a specific grade of neoplasia based on how abnormal the cells appear and how far the growth has progressed.
Because the term covers a wide range of conditions, from a benign polyp to an aggressive cancer, further classification is needed to describe a specific instance of neoplasia.
How neoplasia is built
- neo- Prefix · Greek new
- -plasia Suffix · Greek formation, growth, development
A medical term is read from its ending backwards: the suffix first, then the prefix, then the root. See all 223 word parts.
Used in a sentence
The biopsy was performed to evaluate the area of suspected neoplasia identified on imaging.
Good to know
Neoplasia describes the process of abnormal growth broadly and does not by itself indicate whether the resulting neoplasm is benign or malignant, which must be determined separately.
Word origin
Where “neoplasia” comes from
Formed from neo-, from Greek neos, meaning "new," and -plasia, from Greek plasis, meaning "formation."