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Tumors (Neoplasms)
This gradual increase in the number of dividing cells creates
a growing mass of tissue called a "tumor" or "neoplasm." If
the rate of cell division is relatively rapid, and no "suicide"
signals are in place to trigger cell death, the tumor will grow
quickly in size; if the cells divide more slowly, tumor growth
will be slower. But regardless of the growth rate, tumors
ultimately increase in size because new cells are being
produced in greater numbers than needed. As more and
more of these dividing cells accumulate, the normal
organization of the tissue gradually becomes disrupted.
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