Question

"Maria was scared when she found a small lump behind her knee. She became even more scared when the doctor explained to her that it was a neoplasm he had to sample and test. Maria's doctor calmed her somewhat when he explained that the term neoplasm simply means ""new growth,"" and that it doesn't necessarily mean she has cancer. Maria explained she was so fearful because her father had just died from adenocarcinoma and she had watched how he had wasted away to a frail state. Maria had the neoplasm removed, and she anxiously awaited the results. It took only a few days, but it seemed like an eternity before she learned she had a lipoma.

Maria should be very concerned as the growth was malignant."
true
false

Answer 1

Answer:

False. Maria's doctor mentioned that the term neoplasm doesn't necessarily mean cancer, and her subsequent diagnosis of a lipoma, a benign growth, confirms that the growth was not malignant.

Answer 2

the statement is false because Maria should not be very concerned as the growth was not malignant; she had a lipoma, which is typically a benign tumor.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding medical terms and their implications is crucial in alleviating unnecessary fears. In Maria's case, the term "neoplasm" initially caused distress, but her doctor clarified that it simply means "new growth" and doesn't necessarily indicate cancer. Given Maria's heightened anxiety due to her father's adenocarcinoma, it's essential to note that the growth was ultimately identified as a lipoma, a benign and non-cancerous tumor.

The term "malignant" refers to the potential of a tumor to be cancerous, posing a threat to one's health. In this scenario, since Maria's growth was identified as a lipoma, which is typically harmless, there is no cause for extreme concern. Lipomas are generally slow-growing and do not have the same destructive potential as malignant tumors.

Medical professionals often perform tests to determine the nature of a growth, providing a clear diagnosis. In Maria's case, the timely removal of the neoplasm allowed for a swift assessment, revealing that she did not have a malignant condition. It's crucial for individuals facing health concerns to seek professional advice and rely on accurate diagnoses to make informed decisions about their well-being.

In summary, Maria's concern about the neoplasm being malignant is unfounded, as she was diagnosed with a lipoma, a benign growth that does not pose a threat to her health.