“Cancer” is derived from ancient Greek καρκίνος, meaning “crab” and “tumor,” reflecting early observations of tumor-like appearances.
The word “cancer” comes from the ancient Greek term καρκίνος (karkinos), meaning “crab” and “tumor.” Greek physicians such as Hippocrates and Galen used the term because some tumors were thought to resemble crabs, particularly with swollen veins. The modern medical sense of the word entered English around 1600. In definitions, cancer refers to a large family of diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth. These malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues and may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancer is a subset of neoplasms (tumors), where a neoplasm is a mass or group of cells that has undergone unregulated growth and may be localized or diffuse. Tumor cells in cancer show key “hallmarks,” including growth without proper signals, continued division despite contrary signals, avoidance of programmed cell death, limitless replicative potential, promotion of new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), and the ability to invade tissue and form metastases. Cancer develops through malignant progression, meaning that transformation from normal cells to cells capable of forming a detectable mass occurs in multiple steps. This progression reflects the accumulation of genetic and other cellular changes that enable malignant behavior.
“Cancer” is derived from ancient Greek καρκίνος, meaning “crab” and “tumor,” reflecting early observations of tumor-like appearances.
Cancer is defined as uncontrolled malignant cell growth that can invade and metastasize, distinguishing it from benign tumors that do not spread.
Malignant tumors are characterized by hallmarks such as evading cell death, sustaining growth and division, enabling angiogenesis, and acquiring invasion/metastasis capabilities.
The term “cancer” comes from ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkinos), meaning “crab” and “tumor,” and entered English in its modern medical sense around 1600.
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth that can form malignant tumors capable of invading and spreading to other body parts.
A tumor that is cancerous and has the potential to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize.
A group of cells that has undergone unregulated growth, often forming a mass or lump but sometimes distributed diffusely.
Core biological characteristics required for malignant tumors, including uncontrolled growth, evasion of programmed cell death, angiogenesis, and invasion with metastasis.
The multi-step process by which normal cells gradually acquire changes that allow them to form a detectable mass and become cancerous.
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