You also hear the description mass or the tumor mass. You often will hear people using the word tumor the same as cancer. It communicates but it is not correct. Tumors can be non-malignant or benign. Indeed, many times our goal in diagnosis is to define whether a tumor mass is benign or malignant.
Tumor burden The volume of malignancy that the host, or patient is currently dealing with.
A gene that has to do with growth regulation. The protein produced by this gene suppresses growth. If the protein is dysfunctional, it allows a disturbance in growth. One genetic basis for abnormal growth patterns witnessed in cancer.