cancerous

/ˈkænsərəs/

/ˈkænsərəs/

Other forms: cancerously

Cancerous describes things that are related to a disease in which abnormal cells grow and spread very quickly. Biopsies are usually done to determine if a suspicious lump or mass is cancerous or not.

Anything cancerous contains or is distinguished by cancer, like a cancerous tumor or cancerous tissue that has to be treated with radiation. You can also use the word figuratively, for destructive things that seem to multiply and spread the way cancer does: "The cancerous rumor was all over the school by the next morning, when everyone was whispering about it." The Greek root of cancerous and cancer is karkinos, which means both "tumor" and "crab."

Definitions of cancerous

1. adjective

   relating to or affected with abnormal cell growth
   “a cancerous growth”

   synonyms:

   malignant

   dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
2. adjective

   spreading or growing in an evil or unpleasant way
   “remorse was cancerous within him”

   synonyms:

   malign

   evil or harmful in nature or influence