Malignancy

A neoplastic process characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of transformed cells with the ability to invade and destroy adjacent tissues and disseminate to distant organs through metastasis, often resulting in progressive disease and potential lethality if untreated.

Causes and risk factors

• Age-related factors

  • Increasing age with accumulation of genetic mutations

  • Reduced DNA repair capacity

  • Cellular senescence and immune surveillance decline

• Lifestyle-related factors

  • Tobacco smoking

  • Alcohol consumption

  • Obesity

  • Unhealthy diet

  • Physical inactivity

  • Chronic exposure to carcinogenic lifestyle factors

• Radiation exposure

  • Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

  • Radon exposure

  • Ionizing radiation from medical, occupational, or environmental sources

• Chemical and environmental exposures

  • Asbestos

  • Benzene

  • Heavy air pollution

  • Occupational carcinogens

  • Other toxic chemical exposures

• Oncogenic infections

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

  • Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)

  • Hepatitis B/C virus

• Genetic causes

  • Inherited cancer predisposition syndromes

  • Mutations affecting tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, or DNA repair pathways

  • Family history of cancer

• Chronic inflammation --> Increased cell turnover --> Increased risk of mutation

• Hormonal stimulation contributing to specific malignancies

• Immunosuppression

• Previous cancer therapy (radiation or chemotherapy)