The term malignant is most often used to describe cancer. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. Approximately 100 different types of cancers have been identified by medical researchers. Within these various types of cancers each individual cancer cell has an altered structure and life process from the normal cell. Cancer is not a disorderly growth of immature cells, but rather a logical, coordinated process in which a normal cell undergoes changes and acquires special capabilities.
Invasion is the hallmark of the malignant tumor.
Neoplastic growths can be referred to as malignant neoplasms. Cancer is the common term for all malignant neoplasms. Cancer can be potentially harmful because they occupy space and compete for essential nutrients in the human body.