Difficulty of Definition
Because neoplasia includes very different diseases, it is difficult to find an all-encompassing definition. The definition of the British oncologist R.A. Willis is widely cited: "A neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and is uncoordinated with that of the normal tissues, and persists in the same excessive manner after cessation of the stimulus which evoked the change." This definition is criticized because some neoplasms, such as nevi, are not progressive.
Read more about this topic: Secondary Neoplasm
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