carcinoma

noun

car·​ci·​no·​ma ˌkär-sə-ˈnō-mə 

plural carcinomas also carcinomata ˌkär-sə-ˈnō-mə-tə 

: a malignant tumor of epithelial origin

carcinomatous

ˌkär-sə-ˈnō-mə-təs 

adjective

Examples of carcinoma in a Sentence

four deaths attributable to carcinoma

Recent Examples on the Web

Applying the sunscreen and avoiding the sun can help protect against basal cell carcinoma, according to Mayo Clinic. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025

In the second image, Ramsay put his stitches on display after doctors removed a basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025

The nine-time Grammy-winner was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek karkinōma cancer, from karkinos

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing carcinoma

• squamous cell carcinoma

Rhymes for carcinoma

• ambystoma
• atheroma
• coloboma
• granuloma
• haematoma
• hamartoma
• hemangioma
• hematoma
• hepatoma
• hybridoma
• melanoma
• myeloma

Kids Definition

carcinoma

noun

car·​ci·​no·​ma ˌkärs-ᵊn-ˈō-mə 

plural carcinomas or carcinomata -mət-ə 

: 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 

plural carcinomas also carcinomata -mət-ə 

: a malignant tumor of epithelial origin compare sarcoma

carcinomatous

-ˈō-mət-əs 

adjective