Which term means cancerous or harmful?

• A. Benign
• B. Malignant
• C. Neoplasm
• D. Arthritis

Answer: (B)

Malignant describes tumors that are cancerous and harmful because they invade nearby tissues and can spread to distant parts of the body (metastasis). This invasive and spreading behavior is what makes malignant growths dangerous and potentially life-threatening if not treated. In contrast, a benign tumor stays localized and typically grows slowly, without invading surrounding tissues or metastasizing. A neoplasm simply means a new abnormal growth and can be either benign or malignant, so it doesn’t by itself indicate harm. Arthritis is a joint inflammation, not a tumor term.