oncology
Americannoun
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the branch of medical science dealing with tumors, including the origin, development, diagnosis, and treatment of malignant neoplasms.
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the study of cancer.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of oncology
Explanation
Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with tumors and cancer. A doctor who practices oncology is called an oncologist. You probably think of cancer treatment as a modern practice, but the word oncology has its roots in ancient Greek. The prefix onkos means "mass or bulk” (and eventually evolved into the modern Latin onco — meaning tumor) and the suffix logy means “study of.” In theory, the word means “the study of tumors.” More often, though, you will hear oncology in relation to treatment and practical medicine, as opposed to just study or research.
Vocabulary lists containing oncology
The Fault in Our Stars
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National Nurses Week: Medical Branches and Conditions
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This Week In Culture: October 17–23, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The acquisition of privately held Kartos adds navtemadlin, a drug candidate for myelofibrosis—a rare blood cancer—currently in late-stage clinical trials, to Ipsen’s late-stage oncology pipeline, Ipsen said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026
That could include chief medical officers and chief nursing officers, as well as heads of surgery, emergency rooms, oncology, obstetrics, cardiology and other specialties, they say.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Nuvalent is the U.K. drugmaker’s biggest acquisition in years and fits with its goal of turning oncology into a key growth engine for the group, Mould says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
GSK swapped its oncology business for Novartis’ vaccines division in a 2014 deal, but is now trying to strengthen its pipeline of cancer drugs.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
A distinction is thus drawn between cysts and growths—one which is of daily importance in the practice of medicine—and Virchow's oncology includes the consideration of the two varieties of tumors.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
