Carcinogenic
Carcinogenic
Carcinogenic (pronunciation: /ˌkɑːrsɪnoʊˈdʒɛnɪk/) refers to any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer. This may be due to the ability to damage the genome or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes.
Etymology
The term "carcinogenic" is derived from the Greek words "karkinos" meaning crab or cancer, and "genes" meaning born of, produced by. It was first used in the medical context in the early 20th century.
Related Terms
- Mutagen: An agent, such as radiation or a chemical substance, which causes genetic mutation.
- Oncogene: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, these genes are often mutated or expressed at high levels.
- Tumor suppressor gene: A gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer. When this gene mutates to cause a loss or reduction in its function, the cell can progress to cancer.
- Genotoxic: Damaging to DNA and thereby capable of causing mutations or cancer.
- Carcinoma: A type of cancer that starts in cells that make up the skin or the tissue lining organs, such as the liver or kidneys.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carcinogenic
- Wikipedia's article - Carcinogenic
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