scleroderma
noun
sclero·der·ma
ˌskler-ə-ˈdər-mə 
: a usually slowly progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs and structures
Examples of scleroderma in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Patients with scleroderma and those with myositis had a reduction in symptoms during the follow-up period.
—
Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2024
After Rita died of scleroderma in 2018, Latifah made a documentary to raise awareness of a lung disease that complicated her mother’s condition.
—Emily Lordi, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023
At this year’s event, the SRF will debut the Bob Saget Legacy Award, which will honor individuals who have followed in his footsteps by helping raise awareness about scleroderma and funds to find a cure.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2023
Growing increasingly ill with scleroderma, Meyer finds a guiding spirit in the painter Paul Klee.
—Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
The body systems most commonly affected by scleroderma are:
Skin (limited to the upper limbs, and less often the lower limbs)
Esophagus
Lungs
Kidneys
Skeletal muscles
Pericardium2
Within these systems, connective tissues are the specific areas affected.
—Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 13 July 2023
Nurses who cared for Madison through the highs and lows of battling acute systemic scleroderma, a rare illness that affects the skin and other organs.
—Nikole Killion, CBS News, 16 May 2021
There is no cure for scleroderma, but immunosuppressants, along with an arsenal of steroids, anti-inflammatories and, weirdly, a common anti-malarial, can slow its progression.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 27 Mar. 2020
Despite the pain and debilitating nature of the scleroderma, Marcy remained a strong, loving, gracious, kind, and warm person who always put others first.
—courant.com, 30 Oct. 2019
Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2024
After Rita died of scleroderma in 2018, Latifah made a documentary to raise awareness of a lung disease that complicated her mother’s condition.
—Emily Lordi, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023
At this year’s event, the SRF will debut the Bob Saget Legacy Award, which will honor individuals who have followed in his footsteps by helping raise awareness about scleroderma and funds to find a cure.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2023
Growing increasingly ill with scleroderma, Meyer finds a guiding spirit in the painter Paul Klee.
—Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
The body systems most commonly affected by scleroderma are:
Skin (limited to the upper limbs, and less often the lower limbs)
Esophagus
Lungs
Kidneys
Skeletal muscles
Pericardium2
Within these systems, connective tissues are the specific areas affected.
—Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 13 July 2023
Nurses who cared for Madison through the highs and lows of battling acute systemic scleroderma, a rare illness that affects the skin and other organs.
—Nikole Killion, CBS News, 16 May 2021
There is no cure for scleroderma, but immunosuppressants, along with an arsenal of steroids, anti-inflammatories and, weirdly, a common anti-malarial, can slow its progression.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 27 Mar. 2020
Despite the pain and debilitating nature of the scleroderma, Marcy remained a strong, loving, gracious, kind, and warm person who always put others first.
—courant.com, 30 Oct. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scleroderma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scleroderma
Cite this Entry
“Scleroderma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scleroderma. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
scleroderma
noun
sclero·der·ma
ˌskler-ə-ˈdər-mə
plural sclerodermas also sclerodermata
-mət-ə
: a usually slowly progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs and structures, by hand and foot pain upon exposure to cold, and by tightening and thickening of the skin
No treatment exists to reverse scleroderma, and when it moves to the digestive system, kidneys, heart, and lungs, it is often fatal.—J. Lee Nelson, Natural History
J. Lee Nelson, Natural HistoryWhen physicians suspect scleroderma, they may use several diagnostic tests to distinguish it from other connective tissue disorders.—Peta Gillyatt, Harvard Health Letter
Peta Gillyatt, Harvard Health Lettercalled also dermatosclerosis
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