What is the term for malignant tumors that can break away and form more tumors?

Study for the Nursing Care of the Oncology Patient Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam now!

Malignant tumors are characterized by their ability to invade surrounding tissues and spread throughout the body. These tumors have the potential to break away from the primary site and establish new tumors in other areas, a process known as metastasis. This capacity for dissemination distinguishes malignant tumors from benign tumors, which do not spread and typically remain localized.

The term "invasive tumors" can also describe malignant tumors, as they actively invade nearby tissues; however, the broader category of malignant tumors encompasses all cancerous growths with metastatic capability. The other choices reflect different characteristics that do not capture the essence of a tumor's ability to break away and form new tumors. Therefore, the term that most accurately represents this behavior is malignant tumors.

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