CultureJuly 4, 2026

oncology

/ɒŋˈkɒlədʒi/

Definition

The branch of medical science concerned with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of tumors and cancer.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'onkos', meaning 'mass' or 'tumor', combined with the suffix '-logy', meaning 'the study of'. It entered English in the early 20th century to describe the medical field dedicated to cancer research.

In the news

The word appears in a headline regarding a new partnership between HonorHealth and the Arizona Center for Cancer Care to launch a specialized breast surgical fellowship, focusing on cancer treatment.

Arizona Science Center to host Julia Child exhibition exploring science, food and culture

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Arizona Digital Free Press

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