Meaning & Definition of word "Cancerous"
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Cancerous
/ˈkænsərəs/
adjective:
- 1. Having the characteristics of cancer; malignant and capable of spreading or causing harm.
- Example: The doctor diagnosed the tumor as cancerous after performing a biopsy.
- 2. Relating to or affected by cancer.
- Example: She underwent treatment for her cancerous cells that were detected early.
- 3. Causing or likely to cause cancer.
- Example: Certain chemicals have been found to be cancerous, prompting stricter regulations.
- 4. Of or resembling cancer in a figurative sense, often used to describe something harmful that spreads.
- Example: The cancerous spread of misinformation can harm public understanding of science.
Etymology
From Latin 'cancer' meaning 'crab, cancer', referring to the crablike way that cancer spreads.
Common Phrases and Expressions
cancerous cells:
Cells that show uncontrolled growth and division typical of cancer.
cancerous tumor:
A neoplasm that is malignant and capable of invasive growth.
cancerous growth:
An abnormal growth of tissue that can be malignant.
Related Words
carcinoma:
A type of cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.
melanoma:
A serious form of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes.
oncology:
The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.