'oncogene-related' originates from Modern English, formed by combining 'oncogene' and the adjective 'related'. 'Oncogene' itself comes from the combining form 'onco-' from Greek 'ónkos' meaning 'mass, tumor' and 'gene' from Greek 'génos' meaning 'birth, origin'. 'Related' comes from Latin 'relatus' (past participle of 'referre') via Old French and Middle English.

'oncogene' was coined in 20th-century scientific English from Greek elements 'onco-' + 'gene'. The adjective 'related' developed from Latin 'relatus' through Old French 'relater' into Middle English 'relaten'. These elements were joined in Modern English to form the compound adjective 'oncogene-related'.

Initially, the components referred separately to 'tumor' ('onco-') and 'origin/birth' ('gene') and to being 'connected' ('related'); in Modern English the compound specifically denotes a connection to oncogenes or oncogene activity (i.e., cancer-related genetic influence).