Cancerogenic

/ˌkænsəɹoʊˈdʒɛnɪk/ adjective

Definition

Cancer-producing or capable of causing cancer; carcinogenic.

Etymology

From cancer + -ogenic (suffix meaning 'producing' or 'giving rise to'), a technical variant of carcinogenic using English roots rather than pure Latin.

Kelly Says

Cancerogenic and carcinogenic are exact synonyms, but medical writing uses carcinogenic because it maintains consistency with carcinoma, carcinogen, and other established medical terminology.

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