Oncologists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A medical professional specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
2. A physician who focuses on assessing and managing patients with malignant diseases
3. A doctor dedicated to the care and therapy of those affected by cancer conditions

Etymology: "Oncologists" is the plural of "oncologist," a medical specialist in cancer. The noun is built from "oncology," itself formed from the Greek "onkos," meaning "mass" or "bulk" (in medical use, a swelling or tumour), joined to "-logy," from "logos," meaning "study" or "word." The suffix "-ist" marks a practitioner, so the whole word names someone who studies and treats tumours. The sense of "onkos" as a swelling is what gives the term its link to cancer, a disease defined by abnormal growths. Because the root is classical Greek, the terms were coined in modern scientific Latin and Greek rather than used by ancient physicians, who had their own words for tumours.