Definition
A variant arising in somatic cells which can therefore not be passed on to the next generation.
Use in clinical context
The DNA within somatic cells may change during an individual’s lifetime, but these changes will not be passed on to any children. Such genetic variants can, however, be responsible for some conditions such as cancer.
Related terms
Cancer | Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) | Gamete | Genetic/genomic variation