National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Send to Printer
MSI

 A change that occurs in the DNA of certain cells (such as tumor cells) in which the number of repeats of microsatellites (short, repeated sequences of DNA) is different than the number of repeats that was in the DNA when it was inherited. The cause of MSI may be a defect in the ability to repair mistakes made when DNA is copied in the cell. Also called microsatellite instability.

Previous Definitions:MPNST, MRI, MRSI, MS 209, MS-275
Next Definitions:MTD, MTX, MUC-1, mucin/peptide, mucinous