tumor

[ too-mer, tyoo- ]

noun

1. a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.
2. an uncontrolled, abnormal, circumscribed growth of cells in any animal or plant tissue; neoplasm.
3. Archaic.
   1. inflated pride; haughtiness.
   2. pompous language; bombast.

tumor

/ to̅o̅′mər /

1. See neoplasmSee Note at cancer

tumor

1. An abnormal mass of new tissue growth that serves no function in the body. Tumors are usually classified as benign or malignant and are often caused by cancer .

Other Words From

• tumor·like adjective
• tumor·ous tumor·al adjective
• anti·tumor adjective noun
• anti·tumor·al adjective
• non·tumor·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumor¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin: “a swelling, swollen state,” equivalent to tum(ēre) “to swell” + -or noun suffix ( -or ¹ )

Example Sentences

A study at MedUni Vienna's Department of Dermatology provides insights into the diversity of cancer-associated fibroblasts in white and black skin cancer and describes their different immunomodulatory roles in the tumor environment.

From Science Daily

This approach is especially prominent in areas like cancer research where genetic profiling of tumors can lead to potentially better outcomes and fewer side effects.

From Science Daily

He said the new recommendations are a much-needed update to the current standard of care in which individual radiologists measure tumor size, which dictates treatment options.

From Science Daily

Some highly aggressive tumors produce large amounts of USP39 and related splicing factors, likely due to their high division rate: To maintain constant protein production, they require highly precise splicing, a function that USP39 provides.

From Science Daily

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, melanoma is the most common form of cancer in the country and is notoriously difficult to treat after tumors spread throughout the body.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• Cancer
• carcinoma
• cyst
• lump
• swelling