Cancerigenic

/ˌkænsəɹɪˈdʒɛnɪk/ adjective

Definition

Capable of causing or producing cancer; cancer-causing or carcinogenic.

Etymology

From cancer + -igenic (suffix meaning 'producing' or 'causing'), literally 'cancer-producing.' It's a less common variant of carcinogenic.

Kelly Says

Cancerigenic and carcinogenic mean the same thing, but carcinogenic won from the competition because it uses the Latin 'carcinoma' root—scientists prefer consistent Latin terminology.

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