Final answer:
A primary malignancy is the site of origin of the neoplasm, while a metastatic malignancy is the site to which the primary tumor has spread through metastasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
A primary malignancy is the site of origin of the neoplasm, while a metastatic malignancy is the site to which the primary tumor has spread through metastasis. Metastasis can occur through lymphatic spread, invasion of blood vessels, or implantation as tumor cells are shed into body cavities.
For example, if a breast cancer tumor spreads to the lungs, the primary malignancy is in the breast, and the metastatic malignancy is in the lungs. This process of cancer spreading to distant sites is a characteristic of malignant tumors.