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

Explanation

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."

Example Sentences

There’s a lot we don’t know, but we do know that metastatic melanoma causes a brutal death.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Seven people die each day from melanoma and it is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, according to charity Cancer Research UK.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

The vaccine, intismeran autogene, is tailored to patients with solid tumors, particularly high-risk melanoma.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Moving forward, the analyst plans to monitor other data readouts, including the results of two trials evaluating the efficacy of intismeran alone in patients with renal cell carcinoma and as an adjuvant therapy for melanoma.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

I drop my gaze, notice a fatal melanoma on his arm, see his life pass before my eyes, then realize with relief it’s a dot of clay.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson