All of those conditions are types of different cell growth disturbances. In this article, I'll only try to mention the main tricky differences between them.
Neoplasm
- local growth, but may spread (direct invasion, or metastasis)
- of a monoclonal origin
- may or may not resemble the tissue of origin
- its growth is uncoordinated & uncontrolled even if the cause or the original tissue growth stops
- subtypes: Benign, Malignant, Locally malignant
Hamartoma
- resembles Neoplasm (grossly & microscopically)
- local coordinated growth
- controlled i.e. stops its growth if the cause or the original tissue growth stops
- e.g. hemangioma, lymphangioma
Teratoma
- non-local/foreign — arises from other tissues
- is actually a neoplasm
- common targets: ovaries – testis
Hyperplasia
- is of a polyclonal origin
- not as risky as neoplasm
- occurs due to physiological factors (female breast at puberty) or pathological factors (hormonal hypersensitivity)
