A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Macrometastases: Lymph node metastases that can be felt during medical examination or seen by the naked eye when inspected by a surgeon or pathologist.
Macrophages: Large white blood cells that engulf and digest antigens.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A diagnostic technique in which magnetic fields create detailed, cross-sectional images of the body. An MRI may be used to see if melanoma has spread to lymph nodes or distant sites in the body.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC): Special marker proteins that, when linked to antigen fragments on an antigen-presenting cell, enable T cells to recognize and neutralize the antigen. Cytotoxic T cells recognize or "see" antigens in the context of MHC class I molecules. Helper T cells recognize or "see" antigens in the context of MHC class II molecules.
Malignant: Cancerous; describing cells that can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Malignant melanoma: Melanoma that starts in the skin. Also called cutaneous melanoma.
Margin: In skin cancer surgery, the amount of normal-appearing tissue removed around the tumor. The main goal is complete removal of the melanoma. Margin is usually measured in centimeters. Current recommendations for surgical margin depend upon Breslow depth or thickness in millimeters. The surgical margin may be modified in individual patients for medical or esthetic reasons.
Matted: Connected.
Mediastinum: The space in the chest cavity located between the lungs and containing the heart and its large blood vessels, the trachea, the esophagus, the bronchi, and lymph nodes.
Medical oncologist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer using chemotherapy, biological therapy, and hormone therapy. Medical oncologists are specialists in internal medicine and often coordinate the cancer treatment provided by other specialists.
Melacine: A manufactured allogeneic vaccine derived from tumor lysates.
Melanin: The pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and parts of the eye, and provides protection against the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Melanocytes: Melanin-producing cells located in the basal layer of the epidermis.
Melanoma: A type of cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Melanoma occurs most often in the skin but may also develop in the eye or in the lining of the nose, mouth, or genitals. Melanoma is the least common but the most deadly skin cancer, accounting for only about 4% of all cases but 79% of skin cancer deaths
Melanoma in situ (Latin for in place): Very early stage melanoma where the tumor is limited to the epidermis with no invasion of surrounding tissues, lymph nodes, or distant sites.
Melanoma-inhibiting activity (MIA): A protein secreted by malignant melanoma cells, and being investigated as a tumor marker.
Melphalan: Chemotherapy agent used in isolated limb perfusion.
Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from their point of origin to other parts of the body by way of the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.
Metastatic melanoma: Melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body by way of the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.
Micrometastases: tiny lymph node metastases that can only be detected by microscopic evaluation.
Mitoses (plural of mitosis): Refers to cancer cells in the process of dividing. The number of mitoses in an area of a pathological specimen correlates with the rate of cell division.
Mole: A pigmented skin growth most commonly formed by a cluster of melanocytes and surrounding supportive tissue. Moles usually appear as tan, brown, or flesh-colored spots on the skin.
Monoclonal antibodies: Manufactured antibody proteins, types of which originate in laboratory animals (e.g., mice) or humans. When injected into the body, they are able to recognize antigens for various medical purposes. Monoclonal antibodies can locate and attach to cancer cells with specific antigens, either to identify them for diagnostic purposes or to kill them in therapy. They may be used alone or to deliver radiation, chemotherapy, or other biological therapies more directly to a tumor.
Mortality rate: Ratio of the number of deaths to a given population each year.
Mutation: A permanent change in the genetic, inherited structural DNA of a cell that may cause it to become cancerous.