Case study: Primary and secondary brain neoplasm

A neoplasm is an abnormal new growth of cells which grow more rapidly than normal cells and this can impinge upon and damage adjacent structures. Tumour describes a mass and is a non-specific term for neoplasm.

Cancer is a term usually used to describe a malignant tumour and refers to new growth that has the ability to invade surrounding tissue and spread to different organs, a process described as metastasis.

Cancers are very rarely inherited and most cancers result from changes to genes that can occur through one’s life. Factors that can cause genetic damage include tobacco smoke, X-ray and gamma ray radiation, UV radiation, food substances, toxic chemicals, among many others. There are six main cancer groups: