Word: Melanoma
Definition: Melanoma is a type of cancer that usually starts in the skin. It develops from cells called melanocytes, which are the cells that give your skin its color. Melanoma is considered serious because it can spread to other parts of the body.
Usage Instructions: - "Melanoma" is a noun, so it is used to name this specific type of cancer. - When talking about it, you might say, "My friend was diagnosed with melanoma," or "Melanoma can be dangerous if not caught early."
Example Sentence: - "It's important to check your skin regularly for any unusual moles, as early detection of melanoma can save lives."
Advanced Usage: - In medical contexts, you might hear phrases like "stage of melanoma," which refers to how advanced the cancer is. - You might also encounter terms like "melanoma prognosis," which means the expected outcome or chance of recovery from melanoma.
Word Variants: - Melanocyte: This is the cell that makes pigment in the skin. It is the starting point for melanoma. - Melanomatous: This adjective describes something that is related to melanoma.
Different Meaning: - The word "melanoma" primarily refers to skin cancer, but in a broader sense, it can also refer to similar cancers in other parts of the body where melanocytes are present.
Synonyms: - There are no direct synonyms for melanoma, but it may be grouped with other types of skin cancers like "basal cell carcinoma" and "squamous cell carcinoma," though these are not the same and have different characteristics.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "melanoma," but you might hear phrases like "catch it early" or "stay vigilant" when discussing cancer awareness and prevention.