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Tumor - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Neoplasia; Masa

Definición:

Es una masa anormal de tejido corporal. Los tumores pueden ser cancerosos (malignos) o no cancerosos (benignos).

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

En general, los tumores ocurren cuando las células se dividen excesivamente en el cuerpo. Normalmente, la división de las células está controlada de una manera estricta. Se crean nuevas células para reemplazar las viejas o para desempeñar nuevas funciones. Las células que están dañadas o que ya no se necesitan mueren para dar paso a las células de reemplazo sanas.

Si se altera el equilibrio de división y muerte celular, se puede formar un tumor.

Los problemas con el sistema inmunitario del cuerpo pueden llevar a que se presenten tumores. El tabaco causa más muertes por cáncer que cualquiera otra sustancia ambiental. Otras causas abarcan:

  • Benceno y otros químicos y toxinas
  • Consumo excesivo de alcohol
  • Toxinas ambientales, como ciertos hongos venenosos y un tipo de tóxico que puede formarse en las plantas de cacahuete (aflatoxinas)
  • Exposición excesiva a la luz solar
  • Problemas genéticos
  • Obesidad
  • Radiación
  • Virus

Los tipos de tumores que se sabe son causados por virus son:

Algunos tumores son más comunes en un sexo que en el otro; otros son más comunes en los niños o en los ancianos y otros están relacionados con la dieta, el medio ambiente y los antecedentes familiares.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/14/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Moscow JA, Cowan KH. Biology of cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 187.

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