1. Resistant to treatment; occurring in severe form, and frequently fatal; tending to become worse and leading to an ingravescent course. 2. In reference to a neoplasm, having the property of locally invasive and destructive growth and metastasis. [L. maligno, pres. p. -ans (ant-), to do anything maliciously]
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ma·lig·nant mə-'lig-nənt adj
1) tending to produce death or deterioration <\malignant malaria> esp tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally <\malignant tumors> compare BENIGN (1)
2) of unfavorable prognosis: not responding favorably to treatment <psychotic reactions with a \malignant trend>
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adj.
1. describing a tumour that invades and destroys the tissue in which it originates and can spread to other sites in the body via the blood-stream and lymphatic system. See cancer.
2. describing any disorder that becomes life-threatening if untreated (e.g. malignant hypertension). Compare benign.
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ma·lig·nant (mə-ligґnənt) [L. malignans acting maliciously] 1. tending to become progressively worse and to result in death. 2. having the properties of anaplasia, invasion, and metastasis; said of tumors.Medical dictionary. 2011.