formation of a rapidly growing mass of abnormal tissue. The neoplasm is dependent on the body’s blood supply for nutrients to support the new tissue mass.
Some individuals are more likely to develop neoplasia than others. Those with a family history of cancer and individuals that are exposed to environmental carcinogens show a greater rate of neoplasia. Clinically neoplasia is seen as a tumor or abnormal mass in a tissue. Benign tumors may present with no other signs or symptoms if the mass is not pressing on surrounding tissues. Malignant tumors present with loss of function of the affected tissue, pain, abnormal production of secretions such as hormones, immunosuppression, autoimmune reaction, coagulopathy, anemia, body cavity effusion and . Cachexia is a systemic condition that is seen with advanced malignant neoplasia. It is characterized by loss of body fat, muscular atrophy, fatigue, weakness, anorexia and anemia.
Neoplasms are divided into three types;
,
and potentially
malignant.
A neoplasm is considered benign if it is , non-invasive and compatible with survival. Generally, there is little loss of differentiation. Benign neoplasms are generally given names that end with the suffix “-oma”. Prefix determines the tissue type involved. Examples include lipoma, fibroma and melanoma in the horse. A malignant neoplasm is locally invasive, causes dysfunction and is with complete loss of differentiation. Malignant neoplasms are named biased on the tissue of origin. Sarcomas are malignant neoplasms that arise from mesenchymal cells and carcinomas are malignant neoplasms arising from epithelial cells. Metastasis of malignant neoplasms occurs through lymphatic fluid, blood and within body cavities. Potentially malignant neoplasms are also considered . There is loss of differentiation (metaplasia/dysplasia) without invasion of adjacent tissue and without metastasis. Over time all potentially malignant neoplasms become malignant. This gives greater important to early detection and treatment of neoplastic disorders.
Diagnosis of neoplasia is through or aspiration for cytological and histological examination. Location of tumors can be done through radiography, CT scan, MRI or ultrasound.
Treatment of neoplasia depends on the type, size and location of the tumor. Surgical excision is preferred where possible and is combined with one or more complimentary therapies. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used in conjunction with excision or may be used as the primary treatment in cases where excision is impractical. Excision in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy has a better prognosis than radiation or chemotherapy alone. Recently some success has been had with therapy. Anti- angiogenesis destroys the blood supply to a tumor forcing tumor growth to slow and causing
necrosis of the tumor tissue. Examples of tumors include:
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