Intermediate
Technical
IVT
blastoma
Pronunciation: blas-TOH-mah
A malignant tumor arising from primitive or embryonic tissue, commonly seen in pediatric patients.
Full Definition
Blastoma refers to a type of malignant tumor that develops from immature, embryonic, or primitive cells. These tumors are particularly common in pediatric oncology because they arise from tissues that are still developing. Examples include hepatoblastoma (liver), nephroblastoma (kidney), neuroblastoma (nerve tissue), and retinoblastoma (retina). The suffix '-blastoma' indicates the embryonic origin of the tumor cells.
Usage
Usage note: Always followed by the organ or tissue of origin (e.g., hepatoblastoma, not hepatic blastoma).
In Context
- "The pathology confirmed a blastoma with primitive neuroectodermal features." — pathology report
- "Blastomas typically respond better to chemotherapy than adult-type carcinomas." — treatment planning document
Also known as
embryonic tumor
Contrasted with
carcinoma
sarcoma
Don't confuse with
lymphoma
carcinoma