noun
cancer
KAN-ser/ˈkænsər/
Disease involving uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
The diagram represents cancer as an irregular cluster disrupting normal tissue.
Etymology
Latin cancer meant “crab” as well as “malignant tumor.” The medical image comes from the resemblance, noted by Greek physicians, between crabs and some tumors with swollen veins.
In context
One published study from 2007 found that saffron and its compounds selectively killed colon cancer cells or greatly suppressed their growth in test tubes and did not touch normal non-cancerous cells.
More examples
- Researchers study different cancers.
- The report described the cancer's growth.
- She discussed cancer research at the meeting.
Forms
cancer · cancers
cancerous adjective — Affected by or involving cancer.
Similar words
- malignancy
- A cancerous disease or growth.
- tumor
- An abnormal mass that is not necessarily cancerous.