Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Gen supresor tumoral
Tumor suppressor gene (TOO-mer suh-PREH-ser jeen)
A type of gene that makes a protein called a tumor suppressor protein that helps control cell growth. Mutations (changes in DNA) in tumor suppressor genes may lead to cancer. Also called antioncogene.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.