Final answer:
Malignant tumors represent uncontrolled cell growth leading to invasive and potentially metastatic cancer. These tumors are life-threatening as they can damage organs and create new tumors throughout the body, necessitating urgent medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cancer involves cells that undergo uncontrolled growth and division beyond normal limits, leading to tumors. A malignant tumor is a mass of cancerous cells that grows uncontrollably, invades neighboring tissues, and may spread or metastasize throughout the body. In contrast to benign tumors, which remain localized and typically do not pose a health risk, malignant tumors can cause significant organ dysfunction and are a serious medical concern. Upon invasion, cancer cells can enter the bloodstream, leading to new tumors in diverse tissues, a process known as metastasis. This continual growth and spread define the severity and life-threatening nature of malignant neoplasms.
At the cellular level, cancer arises when the cell cycle is disrupted due to DNA damage, resulting in cells that divide faster than normal. Contributing factors to DNA damage are numerous, making the disease complex with many potential risk factors. Due to further mutations, cancer cells can adapt and thrive in new environments in the body, highlighting the need for medical intervention.