melanoma

noun, plural mel·a·no·mas, mel·a·no·ma·ta [mel-uh–noh-muh-tuh] /ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ mə tə/. Pathology.

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

noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)

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

n.“tumor containing melanin,” 1826, medical Latin, from Greek melas (genitive melanos) “black” (see melanin) + -oma. n. pl. mel•a•no•mas

1. A dark-pigmented, malignant, frequently widely metastasizing tumor arising from a melanocyte and occurring most commonly in the skin.malignant melanoma melanoblastoma melanocarcinoma melanotic carcinoma

Plural melanomas melanomata (mĕl′ə-nō′mə-tə)

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.

A serious, often lethal, form of skin cancer.