What term describes a cancerous tumor?

The term that describes a cancerous tumor is "malignant." Malignant tumors are characterized by their ability to invade surrounding tissues and organs, often leading to metastasis, which is the process of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. This behavior is a key factor that distinguishes malignant tumors from benign tumors, which do not invade nearby tissue or spread to distant sites. The properties of malignancy include uncontrolled growth and the potential for recurrence after removal.

The other options do not accurately describe cancerous tumors. For instance, benign refers to tumors that are non-cancerous and generally do not pose a significant threat to health, while non-cancerous clearly indicates the absence of cancerous properties. The term fibrous typically describes a type of tissue rather than a tumor's cancerous or non-cancerous status. Understanding these definitions is essential for recognizing the nature of tumors in a clinical context.