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The interval between a defined starting event and detection of tumour development under a specified assay. Detection threshold and competing causes of death affect interpretation.

The non-malignant cells, extracellular material, signals and physical conditions surrounding and interacting with a tumour. Its components can support or restrain progression depending on their state and context.

The number of somatic mutations per defined amount of tumour sequence under a specified assay. It is an imperfect proxy for the number of useful immunogenic targets.

The proportion of a sampled tumour preparation contributed by malignant biological cells. It affects interpretation of copy number, variant fractions and expression measurements.

A gene whose normal activity restrains tumour development. Loss-of-function alterations can be diverse, and allelic requirements vary among genes and contexts.

Vascular endothelial growth factor, a family of signals that regulate vascular development and function, including angiogenic responses in tumours.

Coordinated tissue repair involving growth, migration, matrix remodelling and immune responses. Persistent deployment of related activities can support a tumour without constituting productive repair.