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melanoma

/ˈmɛləˌnoʊmə/
/mɛləˈnʌʊmə/
IPA guide

Other forms: melanomas; melanomata

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It's important to wear sunblock and protective clothing to protect your skin and prevent melanoma.

Melanoma is used for the disease itself and also an individual tumor on the skin. A melanoma often starts as a mole that grows larger or becomes irregular in shape or color. Melanoma is dangerous and fast-spreading, so it's important for people to consult a doctor if they think they have a melanoma. The medical suffix -oma, often used for tumors or growths, is added to the Greek melas, "black."

Definitions of melanoma
  1. noun
    any of several malignant neoplasms (usually of the skin) consisting of melanocytes
    synonyms: malignant melanoma
    see moresee less
    type of:
    skin cancer
    a malignant neoplasm of the skin
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