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

Tongue cancer that starts in these cells is called squamous cell carcinoma. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

What is p16 squamous cell carcinoma? —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 2 Dec. 2025

Tattooed participants had higher risks of skin cancers — including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma — as well as lymphoma, with hazards rising further for tattoos larger than a palm. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025

Eggert's doctors diagnosed her with stage 2 cribriform carcinoma breast cancer in early December 2023. —Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 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