Translation guide
A tumour is an abnormal mass of tissue. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 腫瘍 (しゅよう). For everyday conversation, できもの (lump/bump) is often used for visible or palpable lumps. Medical contexts use more specific terms like 腫瘍, がん (cancer), or 良性腫瘍 (benign tumour).
The broad medical term for any abnormal growth, benign or malignant.
The standard medical term for tumour. Used in formal and clinical contexts.
医者は腫瘍が見つかったと言った。
The doctor said a tumour was found.
腫瘍の大きさは3センチです。
The tumour is 3 cm in size.
Common word for a lump, bump, or growth on the body. Used in everyday conversation, not strictly medical.
首にできものがある。
I have a lump on my neck.
Refers to a swelling or boil, often with inflammation. Less common for internal tumours.
腫れ物ができて痛い。
I have a painful swelling.
A non-cancerous growth.
The standard term for benign tumour.
検査の結果、良性腫瘍だとわかった。
The test results showed it was a benign tumour.
Alternative phrasing, slightly more conversational.
それは良性の腫瘍ですから心配いりません。
It's a benign tumour, so there's no need to worry.
A cancerous growth.
The formal medical term for malignant tumour.
悪性腫瘍の治療を始めます。
We will start treatment for the malignant tumour.
The common word for cancer. Often used interchangeably with malignant tumour in everyday speech.
父はがんで入院している。
My father is hospitalized with cancer.
Less formal phrasing, but still clear.
悪性の腫瘍が見つかりました。
A malignant tumour was found.
A tumour located in the brain.
The standard medical term for brain tumour.
脳腫瘍の手術を受けた。
I had surgery for a brain tumour.
A growth that can be felt or seen on the body, often not yet diagnosed.
Refers to a lump or mass, often under the skin. Commonly used when describing a suspicious lump to a doctor.
胸にしこりを感じた。
I felt a lump in my breast.
A bump or swelling, often from injury, but can refer to any protrusion.
頭にこぶができた。
I got a bump on my head.
腫瘍 (しゅよう) is the formal medical term for any tumour. できもの is a casual word for any skin lump or bump, not necessarily a tumour. しこり is a palpable lump, often used when describing a potential tumour to a doctor. Use 腫瘍 in medical contexts, できもの in everyday talk about visible lumps, and しこり when describing a lump you can feel.
医者にしこりについて相談した。
I consulted the doctor about the lump.
顔にできものができた。
I got a bump on my face.
While できもの can mean a growth, using it to describe a diagnosed tumour may sound too casual or minimize the seriousness. Stick to 腫瘍 or specific terms like がん when the diagnosis is known.
腫瘍は無事に切除されました。
The tumour was successfully removed.
彼女は胸にしこりを見つけた。
She found a lump in her breast.