Etymology and definitions The word comes from the ancient Greek καρκίνος, meaning 'crab' and 'tumor'. Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen, among others, noted the similarity of crabs to some tumors with swollen veins. The word was introduced in English in the modern medical sense around 1600.
Etymology and definitions The word comes from the ancient Greek καρκίνος meaning 'crab' and 'tumor' Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen among others noted the similarity of crabs to some tumors with swollen veins The word was introduced in English in the modern medical sense around 1600