Neoplasia
Neoplasia is new growth. The terms benign and malignant correlate to the course of the neoplasm. Benign neoplasms stay localized in one place; malignant neoplasms invade surrounding tissue and, in most cases, can metastasize to distant organs. To become neoplastic, a normal cell must develop mutations that allow it to no longer obey boundaries of adjacent cells, thus allowing for uncontrolled growth, and the neoplasm must be able to produce its own blood supply. If the neoplasm is malignant, the cells must also gain the ability to invade the basement membrane and surrounding tissue, enter the blood stream, and spread to and grow within distant organs.
Nutritional Diseases
Marasmus
Basic description: Malnutrition due to inadequate calories.
Manifestations: Growth retardation, decreased muscle mass.
Important point: Albumin level is normal.
Kwashiorkor
Basic description: Malnutrition due to protein deprivation, which is out of proportion to the total reduction in calories.
Manifestations: Edema due to hypoalbuminemia; fatty liver.
