melanoma

American  

[mel-uh-noh-muh] / ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ mə /

noun

plural

melanomas, melanomata

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

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melanoma British  

/ ˌmɛləˈnəʊmə /

noun

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

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melanoma Scientific  

/ mĕl′ə-nō′mə /

plural

melanomas

1. 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.

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melanoma Cultural  

1. A serious, often lethal, form of skin cancer.

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Discover More

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

Etymology

Origin of melanoma

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

Example Sentences

About 2,000 people die from skin cancer and melanoma every year in Australia while an estimated two out of three Australians will have at least one skin cancer removed in their lifetime.

From BBC

In some cases, it may promote tumor growth and aggressiveness, including in eye melanoma, which occurs more often in men.

From Science Daily

The trial involved 12 people with several types of metastatic cancer, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and different forms of breast cancer.

From Science Daily

Keytruda, a type of immunotherapy used in the treatment of melanoma and other cancers, directs the body’s own immune cells toward cancer cells in order to destroy them.

From Barron's

Cancer charities and doctors are clear about the risks of using sunbeds - and say the machines are linked to higher rates of melanoma and other skin cancers.

From BBC