Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
tumor heterogeneity
Pronunciation: HET-er-oh-jee-NEE-ih-tee
Genetic and phenotypic diversity within a tumor or between tumors in the same patient.
Full Definition
Tumor heterogeneity refers to the diverse cellular populations that exist within individual tumors (intratumoral) or between different tumor sites in the same patient (intertumoral). This diversity arises from ongoing mutation, epigenetic changes, and microenvironmental pressures during cancer evolution. Heterogeneity poses significant challenges for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, as different regions may respond differently to therapy. It's a key consideration in precision oncology and resistance development.
Usage
Usage note: Specify intratumoral vs. intertumoral when relevant.
In Context
- "Intratumoral heterogeneity complicated biomarker assessment." — Research protocol
- "The study addressed therapeutic challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity." — Grant application
Also known as
tumor diversity
cellular heterogeneity
Contrasted with
tumor homogeneity
clonal uniformity
Don't confuse with
tumor burden
tumor grade