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melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)

 A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

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Anatomy of the skin with melanocytes; drawing shows normal skin anatomy, including the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles, sweat glands, hair shafts, veins, arteries, fatty tissue, nerves, lymph vessels, oil glands, and subcutaneous tissue. The pullout shows a close-up of the squamous cell and basal cell layers of the epidermis above the dermis with blood vessels. Melanin is shown in the cells. A melanocyte is shown in the layer of basal cells at the deepest part of the epidermis.




Previous Definitions:MEK inhibitor AZD6244, Melan-A protein, melanin, melanocortin 1 receptor, melanocyte
Next Definitions:Melanoma Antigen Recognized by T cells 1, melanoma in situ, melanoma vaccine, melanotropin receptor, melatonin

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