Which statement describes a malignant tumor?

Which statement describes a malignant tumor?

• A. Benign and harmless
• B. A normal growth that occurs with age
• C. Cancerous and potentially life-threatening.
• D. An infection in the tissue

Answer: (C)

A malignant tumor is cancerous, meaning its cells grow uncontrollably, invade nearby tissues, and can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). This invasive and spreading behavior is what makes malignant tumors potentially life-threatening, because they can damage vital organs and disrupt normal body functions. In contrast, benign tumors stay localized, don’t invade surrounding tissues, and are usually not life-threatening. An infection is caused by pathogens and involves inflammation, not abnormal tissue growth like a tumor. A normal age-related growth isn’t a tumor. So the statement that best describes a malignant tumor is that it is cancerous and potentially life-threatening.

A malignant tumor is cancerous, meaning its cells grow uncontrollably, invade nearby tissues, and can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). This invasive and spreading behavior is what makes malignant tumors potentially life-threatening, because they can damage vital organs and disrupt normal body functions. In contrast, benign tumors stay localized, don’t invade surrounding tissues, and are usually not life-threatening. An infection is caused by pathogens and involves inflammation, not abnormal tissue growth like a tumor. A normal age-related growth isn’t a tumor. So the statement that best describes a malignant tumor is that it is cancerous and potentially life-threatening.