Cancer history goes way back. The Greek term carcinoma is the medical term for a malignant tumor. Celsus translated carcinos into Latin cancer. He called benign tumors oncos, which is Greek for swelling and malignant tumors carrions. Celsus later added the suffix - oma making the name carcinoma. Treatment then was based on the humor theory of four bodily fluids. The four bodily fluids were black and yellow bile, blood and phlegm.

The oldest description and surgical treatment of cancer dates back to approximates 1600 B.C. This description was discovered in Egypt. In the 1020s, Avicenna as well described the surgical treatment of cancer. This can be found in The Canon of Medicine. Avicenna also contributed to cancer history by stating that all infected tissues must be removed and this included the use of amputation or the removal of the veins running in the direction of the tumor. He also recommended the use of cauterization for the area being treated if deemed necessary.

In the 16th and the 17th centuries, it was normal for doctors to dissect bodies to investigate the cause of death. Wilhelm Fabry, a German professor believed that breast cancer doctors should dissect bodies caused by a milk clot in a mammary duct. François de la Boe Sylvius a Dutch professor believed that all diseases were an outcome of chemical processes and that acidic lymph fluid was responsible for cancer.

On the other hand, Nicolaes Tulp believed that cancer was a poison that slowly spreads and his conclusion was that cancer was contagious. Widespread use of the microscope in the 18th century changed cancer history. It led to the discovery that ‘cancer poison’ was spread from the primary tumor to other sites via the lymph nodes


Mercy Maranga Reports on Health and Fitness issues. Visit Her Site here for more information on cancer and its treatment Cancer