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

Kara Keough Bosworth posted a GoFundMe in her mom’s honor on Sunday, sharing the reality star and real estate agent’s story of being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

Doctors diagnosed Phil with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive form of breast cancer. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

During treatment for stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, cold capping helped Addalaya Looper of Chattanooga, Tennessee, keep more than 80% of her hair. — Caitlin Carlson, Glamour, 9 July 2026

The company currently has cancer therapies in mid and late-stage trials targeting melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 1 July 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