Origin of the term cancer
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Etymology and Historical Roots of the Term "Cancer"
The term "cancer" has its origins in ancient Greek medicine. Hippocrates, often called the "Father of Medicine," used the Greek word "karkinos," meaning "crab," to describe tumors. He chose this term because the finger-like spreading projections of cancerous tumors reminded him of a crab's shape and legs. The Latin translation of "karkinos" is "cancer," which was later adopted into medical terminology to describe malignant growths 1346.
Early Descriptions and Evolution in Medical Literature
Ancient medical texts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and Persia described tumors and swellings that are now recognized as cancers. These early descriptions often referred to visible, accessible tumors, such as those of the skin, breast, and female genitalia. The Hippocratic writings around 400 B.C. were among the first to group these non-inflammatory, hard swellings under the term "karkinos" or "karkinoma," which was later translated into Latin as "cancer" 367.
Translation and Adoption in Other Languages
The term "cancer" was not only used in Greek and Latin but also made its way into Arabic medical literature. The Arabic term for cancer was coined by Ishaq ibn Hunayn, who translated the Greek description into Arabic, maintaining the original connotations and imagery of the disease as a "crab" .
Oncology: The Study of Cancer
The word "oncology," which refers to the study and treatment of tumors, is derived from the Greek "onkos" (meaning mass or bulk) and "logia" (meaning study). The term "oncologia" appeared in Latinized form as early as the 17th century and became more widely established in the 19th century, particularly through the work of Rudolf Virchow .
Conclusion
The term "cancer" has a long and rich history, originating from the Greek word for crab due to the appearance of tumors, and was later translated into Latin and Arabic. Its use has evolved over centuries as medical understanding of the disease has grown, but the original imagery and terminology remain central to how we describe and study cancer today 13467.
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