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sarcoma

American  
[sahr-koh-muh] / sɑrˈkoʊ mə /

noun

Pathology.

plural

sarcomas, sarcomata

  1. any of various malignant tumors composed of neoplastic cells resembling embryonic connective tissue.

sarcoma British  
/ sɑːˈkəʊmə /

noun

  1. pathol a usually malignant tumour arising from connective tissue

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
sarcoma Scientific  
/ sär-kō′mə /

plural

sarcomas

  1. A malignant tumor originating from mesodermal tissue, such as fat, muscle, or bone.

  2. Compare carcinoma

Other Word Forms

  • sarcomatoid adjective
  • sarcomatous adjective

Etymology

Origin of sarcoma

1650–60; < New Latin < Greek sárkōma fleshy growth. See sarc-, -oma

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Kaposi’s sarcoma occurs with other immunomodulators but in our view additional risk factors can be unfavorable if there are other treatment options that don’t have those risks,” analysts at UBS say in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Molly, from Gourock, Inverclyde, was 15 when she was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

Like Milla, Ainscough was diagnosed with an aggressive type of epithelioid sarcoma in her forearm.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2025

In October, after having trouble walking, Vázquez was admitted to White Memorial Hospital in Boyle Heights and diagnosed with terminal cancer, stage 4 sarcoma.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2024

The structure of the sarcoma differs from that of these tissues in presenting a predominance of cells over intercellular substance, while the reverse is the characteristic of most varieties of connective tissue.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.