Describing a tumor or disease process that is cancerous and has the capacity to invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.
Malignant cells can grow uncontrollably, invade nearby tissues, and sometimes enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system and establish tumors elsewhere in the body.
Malignancy varies considerably in behavior; some cancers grow slowly while others can progress rapidly.
QUICK FACT
Malignant does not automatically mean rapidly fatal. Cancer behavior varies greatly according to its type, location, stage, molecular characteristics, and response to treatment.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Benign: a non-malignant growth that does not invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant sites.
SEE ALSO