Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Factor de crecimiento epidérmico
Epidermal growth factor (eh-pih-DER-mul grohth FAK-ter)
A protein made by many cells in the body and by some types of tumors. It causes cells to grow and differentiate (become more specialized). It is a type of growth factor and a type of cytokine. Also called EGF.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.