neoplasm
[C] Countable
pl: neoplasms
This term is used primarily in clinical and pathological settings to describe a new, uncontrolled growth of cells. It carries a neutral, descriptive tone that avoids the immediate emotional weight of the word cancer, though it encompasses both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. In a medical report, using neoplasm indicates a focus on the biological process of proliferation rather than the clinical diagnosis of malignancy. It suggests a structural abnormality that requires histological examination to determine its nature.
Countable when referring to a specific physical mass or a particular instance of a growth found during a scan.