Melanoma Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Melanoma article.
Adrenal gland: A small gland located on top of the kidney. The adrenal glands produce horm... See the entire definition of Adrenal glandBenign: Not malignant. A benign tumor is one that does not invade surrounding tissue or sp... See the entire definition of BenignBiopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for ... See the entire definition of BiopsyBirthmark: A persistent visible mark on the skin that is evident at birth or shortly there... See the entire definition of BirthmarkBrain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func... See the entire definition of BrainCancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ... See the entire definition of CancerChemotherapy: 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically k... See the entire definition of ChemotherapyCongenital: A condition that is present at birth, whether or not it is inherited. Cutaneous: Related to the skin. Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ... See the entire definition of DiagnosisDissection: The process of cutting apart or separating tissue as, for example, in the stud... See the entire definition of DissectionDrain: A device for removing fluid from a cavity or wound. A drain is typically a tube or ... See the entire definition of DrainDysplastic nevus: An atypical mole whose appearance is different from that of a common ord... See the entire definition of Dysplastic nevusEvolution: The continuing process of change. Excision: 1. Surgical removal, as in the excision of a tumor. 2. The remov... See the entire definition of Excision
Extremity: An uttermost part of the body, such as a hand or a foot. Genes: The basic biological units of heredity. Segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nee... See the entire definition of GenesGenetic: Having to do with genes and genetic Gland: A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thy... See the entire definition of GlandImmunotherapy: Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune (defense) syst... See the entire definition of ImmunotherapyIncidence: The frequency with which something, such as a disease or trait, appears in a pa... See the entire definition of IncidenceInterferon: A naturally occurring substance that interferes with the ability of viruses t... See the entire definition of InterferonLesion: An area of abnormal tissue change. Lesions vary in severity from harmless to serio... See the entire definition of LesionLimb: An arm or a leg. Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system, carrying cell... See the entire definition of LymphLymph node: One of many small, bean-shaped organs located throughout the lymphatic system.... See the entire definition of Lymph nodeMalignant: 1. Tending to be severe and become progressively worse, as in malignant ... See the entire definition of MalignantMalignant melanoma: See: Melanoma. Melanin: The pigment that gives human skin, hair, and eyes their color. Dark-skinned peopl... See the entire definition of MelaninMelanocyte: A cell in the skin that produces and contains the pigment melanin.
Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer, a malignancy of the melanocyte, the cell... See the entire definition of MelanomaMetastasize: The spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasiz... See the entire definition of MetastasizeMicroscopic: So small it cannot be seen without the aid of microscope. As opposed to macro... See the entire definition of MicroscopicMicroscopy: The examination of minute objects by means of a microscope, an instrument whic... See the entire definition of MicroscopyMitotic: Pertaining to mitosis. Mucous: Pertaining to mucus, a thick fluid produced by the lining of some tissues of the b... See the entire definition of MucousNevi: The plural of nevus. Nevus: A pigmented spot on the skin, such as a mole. The plural of nevus is nevi. Node: Literally a knot, a node is a collection of tissue. For example a lymph node, is a ... See the entire definition of NodeNodular: Bumpy. Nodular melanoma: One of the four clinical types of malignant melanoma, which typically pr... See the entire definition of Nodular melanomaPathologist: A physician who identifies diseases and conditions by studying abnormal cells... See the entire definition of PathologistPigment: A substance that gives color to tissue. Pigments are responsible for the colors o... See the entire definition of PigmentPredispose: To make more likely or render susceptible. Smoking predisposes to a number of ... See the entire definition of PredisposePrognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of Prognosis
Radiation: 1. Rays of energy. Gamma rays and X-rays are two of the types of energy ... See the entire definition of RadiationRadiation therapy: The use of high-energy rays to damage cancer cells, stopping them from ... See the entire definition of Radiation therapyRadioactive: Emitting energy waves due to decaying atomic nuclei. Radioactive substances a... See the entire definition of RadioactiveRadioactive tracer: A radioactive molecule that can be sent through the body's circulatory... See the entire definition of Radioactive tracerSentinel lymph node: The first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor. The ... See the entire definition of Sentinel lymph nodeSentinel lymph node biopsy: Examination of the first lymph node ("gland") that receives ly... See the entire definition of Sentinel lymph node biopsyStage: As regards cancer, the extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spre... See the entire definition of StageStaging: stagingDoing exams and tests to learn the extent of a cancer, especially whether ... See the entire definition of StagingSunscreen: A substance that blocks the effect of the sun's harmful rays. Using lotions tha... See the entire definition of SunscreenSuperficial: In anatomy, on the surface or shallow. As opposed to deep. The skin is superf... See the entire definition of SuperficialSuperficial spreading melanoma: One of the four clinical types of malignant melanoma, the ... See the entire definition of Superficial spreading melanomaSymptomatic: 1 With symptoms, as a symptomatic infection. 2 Characteristic o... See the entire definition of SymptomaticSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Systemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the wh... See the entire definition of SystemicTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.
Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors are a classic sign of inflammation, and can be ... See the entire definition of TumorUlceration: The process or fact of being eroded away, as by an ulcer. Ultraviolet radiation: Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the su... See the entire definition of Ultraviolet radiationVitamin D: A steroid vitamin which promotes the intestinal absorption and metabolism of ca... See the entire definition of Vitamin D
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