acanthoma

9.9

A non-cancer growth on the skin that starts in the outer layer

noun
/əˌkænˈθoʊmə/

Specialized

: acantoma

The dermatologist diagnosed the unusual growth on her arm as an acanthoma.

Examples

Treatment for an acanthoma typically involves removal by minor surgery.
Many patients are concerned about acanthomas appearing on their skin.
Although an acanthoma is benign, monitoring for any changes is important.
The doctor diagnosed her with an acanthoma on her arm.
The dermatologist diagnosed the unusual growth on her arm as an acanthoma.
Treatment for an acanthoma typically involves removal by minor surgery.
Many patients are concerned about acanthomas appearing on their skin.

Synonyms

skin tumor

vsacanthoma

Specialized

1 4.6

A growth on the skin that may be harmless or cancerous

is limited to benign epidermal growths rather than any malignant cases

keratoacanthoma

vsacanthoma

Specialized

9.9

A fast-growing skin lump often in older people that looks like cancer but usually goes away leaving a scar

is slower growing and does not typically clear on its own

How Big

mass

117 2.9

acanthoma

Specialized

9.9

nodule

8 7.0

papule

Specialized

1 8.1

Surface Forms

acanthoma singular

acanthomas plural

Morphology

acanthoma = acanth + oma

Formed from medical combining elements ('acanth-' + '-oma') that are not productive or recognizable to an average B1 learner, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from familiar English words.

Etymology

The word acanthoma comes from Greek parts acanth- meaning 'thorn' and -oma meaning 'tumor' or 'swelling'. Think of a 'thorn-like' bump on the skin — that image helps remember that an acanthoma is usually a non-cancerous skin tumor.