Skip to main content
Intermediate Technical IVT

somatic mutation

A genetic alteration that occurs in non-reproductive cells during an individual's lifetime and is not inherited by offspring.

Full Definition

Somatic mutations arise in body cells after conception through various mechanisms including DNA replication errors, environmental exposures, and aging processes. Unlike germline mutations present in all cells from birth, somatic mutations affect only the cells descended from the initially mutated cell. In cancer, somatic mutations accumulate over time and drive malignant transformation when they affect critical genes controlling cell growth, DNA repair, or apoptosis. Somatic mutation analysis is fundamental to precision oncology for identifying therapeutic targets and understanding tumor evolution.

Usage

Usage note: Always distinguish from germline mutations, which have hereditary implications.

In Context

  • "The tumor contained 127 somatic mutations, including several in cancer driver genes." — Genomic sequencing report
  • "Somatic mutation testing revealed no actionable alterations in this patient's sample." — Molecular pathology report

Also known as

acquired mutation

Contrasted with

germline mutation inherited mutation

Don't confuse with

germline mutation constitutional mutation
resistance mutation ← Back to glossary splice site variant

Editors from these organisations have used our services since 1998

Reuters BBC Oxford University Press Penguin Random House Springer Microsoft Suncor Energy United Nations Fisher Investments IBM The Home Depot KODAK CHEVRON