'adenoacanthoma' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'adeno-' meaning 'gland', 'acantho-' meaning 'thorn' or 'spine', and '-oma' meaning 'tumor'.

'adenoacanthoma' was formed by combining Greek roots to describe a specific type of tumor.

Initially, it meant 'a glandular tumor with thorn-like structures', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a type of adenocarcinoma with squamous cells'.