tumor

/tjuː.mə/noun

A lump of tissue that grows abnormally in the body; doctors distinguishing it may consider an abscess, metaplasia, or neoplasia.

Example sentence

“The scan showed a small tumor, which turned out to be harmless.”

The standard pairing is 'benign' (harmless) versus 'malignant' (cancerous). British English spells it 'tumour'.

Related words

cancerAn illness in which cells in part of the body begin to grow and multiply out of control.malignantCausing harm or intending evil; dangerous and destructive.diabetesDiabetes insipidus; any condition marked by the passing of unusually large or uncontrolled amounts of urine, now especially the form caused by the body failing to produce or respond to the hormone vasopressin.benignGentle and mild; causing no harm.asthmaA chronic breathing disorder in which the airways can suddenly tighten, often triggered by allergens, cold air, exercise, or stress.terminalThe building at an airport where travelers move between ground transport and their flights.