carcinoma

noun

car·​ci·​no·​ma ˌkär-sə-ˈnō-mə How to pronounce carcinoma (audio)
plural carcinomas also carcinomata ˌkär-sə-ˈnō-mə-tə How to pronounce carcinoma (audio)
: a malignant tumor of epithelial origin
carcinomatous adjective

Examples of carcinoma in a Sentence

four deaths attributable to carcinoma
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Common types of adrenal tumors include adrenal adenomas (benign), adrenal carcinomas (malignant and prone to spreading) peochromocrytomas, and paragangliomas. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 Cardwell died at age 28 in December 2023 after she was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma the previous January. Elissa Rosen, People.com, 12 June 2025 Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 7 May 2025 Merkel cell carcinoma: Fast-moving and aggressive, this rare skin cancer causes a painless, shiny bump on the skin. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for carcinoma

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek karkinōma cancer, from karkinos

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carcinoma was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carcinoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinoma. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

carcinoma

noun
car·​ci·​no·​ma ˌkärs-ᵊn-ˈō-mə How to pronounce carcinoma (audio)
plural carcinomas or carcinomata -mət-ə How to pronounce carcinoma (audio)
: a tumor that consists of epithelial cells and is often fatal if not treated

Medical Definition

carcinoma

noun
car·​ci·​no·​ma ˌkärs-ᵊn-ˈō-mə How to pronounce carcinoma (audio)
plural carcinomas also carcinomata -mət-ə How to pronounce carcinoma (audio)
: a malignant tumor of epithelial origin compare sarcoma
carcinomatous adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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