What is a Skin Tumor?
A skin tumor is a type of tumor that develops on the epidermis. Tumors, including skin tumors, are groups of abnormal cells that grow, called neoplasm. People often associate a skin tumor with cancer, but in fact tumors don’t have to be cancerous, and the vast majority are not. Tumors are usually classed in three different groups: benign, pre-malignant, and malignant. Only malignant tumors are actually cancerous. The different terms used can be a bit confusing, but they are essentially greater levels of specificity. A neoplasm is a group of abnormal cells, but these abnormal cells don’t necessarily form a lump. When a neoplasm forms a lump it is known as a tumor. If that tumor forms on the epidermis, it is known as a skin tumor. If the skin tumor that forms is malignant, meaning it has uncontrolled growth, invades nearby tissue, and may even spread to other parts of the body, then it is known as skin cancer.
