carcinogenicity
Ability to cause cancer
Carcinogenicity is the capacity to cause cancer.
The term appears in scientific and regulatory contexts when evaluating substances, radiation, or other agents for their potential to trigger malignant cell growth: Studies on the carcinogenicity of asbestos led to its ban in construction materials.
A substance with high carcinogenicity poses significant cancer risk; one with no demonstrated carcinogenicity is considered safer for human exposure.
Cancerous, invasive growth
- neoplasiaAbnormal tissue proliferation
- sarcomaConnective tissue cancer
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
mesothelioma · melanoma · adenocarcinoma · metastasis · cancer risk · latency period
Fibrous fireproofing mineral
- benzeneAromatic hydrocarbon solvent
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- tarFile bundling utility
- vinyl chlorideToxic PVC monomer
dioxins · acrylamide · arsenic · cadmium · chromium · nickel · lead · radon
Relationship between amount and effect
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- potencyDegree of strength
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
Electron-displacing electromagnetic energy
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- radon exposureContact with radioactive noble gas
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
alpha particles · beta particles · plutonium · uranium · radium · thorium · cosmic rays · nuclear fallout
Inducing stable genetic changes
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- angiogenesisFormation of new vessels
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- bioactivationConversion to active form
malignancy
Cancerous, invasive growth
- neoplasiaAbnormal tissue proliferation
- sarcomaConnective tissue cancer
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
lymphoma · mesothelioma · melanoma · adenocarcinoma · metastasis · cancer risk · latency period
asbestos
Fibrous fireproofing mineral
- benzeneAromatic hydrocarbon solvent
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- tarFile bundling utility
vinyl chloride · dioxins · acrylamide · arsenic · cadmium · chromium · nickel · lead · radon · pesticides
dose-response
Relationship between amount and effect
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- potencyDegree of strength
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
ionizing radiation
Electron-displacing electromagnetic energy
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- radon exposureContact with radioactive noble gas
radioactive decay · alpha particles · beta particles · plutonium · uranium · radium · thorium · cosmic rays · nuclear fallout · solar radiation
mutagenesis
Inducing stable genetic changes
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- angiogenesisFormation of new vessels
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- chemical hazardspoisoning, neurotoxin, fumes, vapors, chemical burns
- toxicologytoxicology, poison, toxin, venom, toxicity
- Drug Propertiesbioavailability, half-life, potency, efficacy, toxicity
- toxic effectstoxicity, lead poisoning, mercury poisoning, arsenic poisoning, neurotoxicity
- Ecotoxicologytoxicology, bioassay, LD50, dose-response, lethal dose
carcinogenicitysafety
Freedom from harm
harmlessness · benignity · biocompatibility · innocuousness · inertness
carcinoma, oncologist, carcinogen, oncology, carcinogenic, oncogene, carcinogens, carcinomas