Cancer: meaning, definitions and examples
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cancer
[ ˈkænsər ]
disease
A disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. Cancer can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| cancer |
Used in general conversations and media when referring to the disease characterized by abnormal cell growth. It can refer to various types of this disease affecting different parts of the body.
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| tumor |
A general term used to describe a mass of tissue formed by an abnormal growth of cells. It can be benign or malignant, and the term is often used in more informal medical discussions.
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| carcinoma |
A medical term often used by healthcare professionals to describe a specific type of cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.
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| neoplasm |
A neutral medical term for any new and abnormal growth of tissue, which can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Often used in medical and scientific contexts.
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Examples of usage
- Her father was diagnosed with lung cancer last year.
- The doctor recommended chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer.
- Early detection is crucial for successful treatment of cancer.
astrology
A sign of the zodiac, which represents those born between June 21 and July 22. Cancer is associated with the element of water and ruled by the Moon.
Synonyms
Crab.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| cancer |
Use when talking about the astrological sign for people born between June 21 and July 22. Often used in horoscopes and astrology discussions.
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| Crab |
Use when referring to a marine animal with a hard shell and pincers. Also used in a non-literal sense to describe someone who is grumpy or irritable.
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Examples of usage
- Her zodiac sign is Cancer.
- People born under the sign of Cancer are believed to be sensitive and intuitive.
Translations
Translations of the word "cancer" in other languages:
🇵🇹 câncer
🇮🇳 कैंसर
🇩🇪 Krebs
🇮🇩 kanker
🇺🇦 рак
🇵🇱 rak
🇯🇵 がん (癌)
🇫🇷 cancer
🇪🇸 cáncer
🇹🇷 kanser
🇰🇷 암 (癌)
🇸🇦 سرطان
🇨🇿 rakovina
🇸🇰 rakovina
🇨🇳 癌症 (ái zhèng)
🇸🇮 rak
🇮🇸 krabbamein
🇰🇿 қатерлі ісік
🇬🇪 კიბო
🇦🇿 xərçəng
🇲🇽 cáncer
Etymology
The word 'cancer' has its origins in the Latin word 'cancer' which means crab. The term was first used to describe the disease in the 5th century BC by the Greek physician Hippocrates. The association of the disease with the crab-like appearance of tumors led to the use of the term 'cancer'. Over the centuries, our understanding of cancer has evolved, leading to advancements in diagnosis and treatment.