melanoma

[ mel-uh-noh-muh ]
/ ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ mə /

noun, plural mel·a·no·mas, mel·a·no·ma·ta [mel-uh-noh-muh-tuh] /ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ mə tə/. Pathology.

any of several types of skin tumors characterized by the malignant growth of melanocytes.

Origin of melanoma

First recorded in 1825–35; melan- + -oma

Words nearby melanoma

melanogenesis, melanoglossia, melanoid, melanoleukoderma, melanoleukoderma colli, melanoma, melanomatosis, melanonychia, melanophage, melanophore, melanoplakia

Example sentences from the Web for melanoma

British Dictionary definitions for melanoma

melanoma
/ (ˌmɛləˈnəʊmə) /

noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)

pathol a malignant tumour composed of melanocytes, occurring esp in the skin, often as a result of excessive exposure to sunlight

Medical definitions for melanoma

melanoma
[ mĕl′ə-nō′mə ]

n. pl. mel•a•no•mas

A dark-pigmented, malignant, frequently widely metastasizing tumor arising from a melanocyte and occurring most commonly in the skin. malignant melanoma melanoblastoma melanocarcinoma melanotic carcinoma

Scientific definitions for melanoma

melanoma
[ mĕl′ə-nō′mə ]

Plural melanomas melanomata (mĕl′ə-nō′mə-tə)

A dark-pigmented benign or malignant tumor that arises from a melanocyte and occurs most commonly in the skin. Malignant melanoma metastasizes quickly and is associated with sun exposure.

Cultural definitions for melanoma

melanoma
[ (mel-uh-noh-muh) ]

A serious, often lethal, form of skin cancer.

notes for melanoma

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (for example, by too much sunbathing) can cause this disease.