Chronic inflammation is characterized by prolonged inflammation lasting weeks or months, where inflammation, tissue injury, and repair occur simultaneously. It is caused by persistent infections, immune-mediated diseases, or toxic agents. Chronic inflammation involves infiltration of mononuclear cells like macrophages and lymphocytes, ongoing tissue destruction, and attempts at repair through fibrosis and angiogenesis. Macrophages play a key role by secreting cytokines and growth factors that mediate both inflammatory tissue injury and repair.