melanoma
UK: ˌmeləˈnəʊmə | US: ˌmeləˈnoʊmə
n. a type of skin cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).
melanoma = melan<black/dark> + oma<tumor>
- melan (from Greek melas, meaning "black" or "dark")
- oma (from Greek -ōma, a suffix denoting tumors or abnormal growths)
Etymology Origin:
The word melanoma originates from Greek, combining melan- (dark) and -oma (tumor), reflecting the dark pigmentation often seen in these cancerous growths. Historically, the term was coined in medical Latin to describe malignant tumors arising from melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation. The logical progression ties the visual characteristic (dark color) to the pathological condition (tumor).
Early detection of melanoma significantly improves treatment outcomes.
She underwent surgery to remove a malignant melanoma from her shoulder.
Excessive sun exposure increases the risk of developing melanoma.
Dermatologists recommend regular skin checks to monitor for melanoma.
The biopsy confirmed that the mole was a benign form of melanoma.