What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
carcinoma
Example
She was diagnosed with lung carcinoma and started treatment immediately. [carcinoma: noun]
Example
The doctor explained that the carcinoma had spread to other organs. [carcinoma: noun]
malignancy
Example
The biopsy confirmed the malignancy of the tumor. [malignancy: noun]
Example
The doctor discussed the treatment options for the malignancy. [malignancy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Malignancy is more commonly used than carcinoma in everyday language. Malignancy is a more general term that can be easily understood by a wider audience, while carcinoma is more specific and often used in medical and scientific discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between carcinoma and malignancy?
Both carcinoma and malignancy are formal terms that are commonly used in medical and scientific contexts. However, carcinoma may be perceived as slightly more technical and clinical due to its specificity.