Somatic mutation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-007867",
  "term": "Somatic mutation",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definitions": [
    "An alteration in DNA that occurs after conception. Somatic mutations can occur in any of the cells of the body except the germ cells (sperm and egg) and therefore are not passed on to children. These alterations can (but do not always) cause cancer or other diseases. Also called somatic variant.",
    "In the context of cancer genetics, somatic mutation refers to a mutation in DNA that occurs before or during tumor development. This type of mutation is not present within the germline (sperm and egg). Also called somatic variant."
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    "somatic variant"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms",
    "NCI Dictionary of Genetics Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/somatic-mutation/"
}