Does having neoplasms mean you have carcinoma?

Having neoplasms doesn't mean that a person has carcinoma, according to the National Cancer Institute. A neoplasm is simply an abnormal growth of tissue that may or may not be cancerous. A carcinoma is a type of cancer that arises from epithelial cells.

Epithelial cells are skin cells and also cells that line organs such as the liver, says WebMD. While many cancers are neoplasms, not all cancers are carcinomas. Cancer also develops in the blood, the bone, the central nervous system and the immune system.

Benign neoplasms are also very common, according to Cleveland Clinic. These are growths such as moles, skin tags and freckles.