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

Moderna and Merck still need to validate the approach in other cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common, but unlike basal cell, this skin cancer can spread if untreated. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Sandy Springs resident Stacey Hughes, 53, has participated in the race nearly every year since being diagnosed with stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ in 2017. — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Roughly 10 to 15% of all lung cancer cases are classified as a small cell carcinoma. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

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