| antibody | A part of the body’s defense mechanism formed in response to a foreign antigen. Antibodies attack infectious agents and toxic substances. |
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| antigen | Any substance that stimulates the body to produce an antibody. |
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| biopsy | A sample of tissue removed from the body that is suspected of being abnormal or cancerous. |
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| Breslow’s thickness | The measurement of the distance between the top layer of the skin and the deepest layer reached by a melanoma. |
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| carcinogen | A chemical or other irritant believed to cause cancer. |
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| chronic | Long-lasting or marked by frequent reoccurance. |
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| Clarke’s level | The depth of melanoma penetration, from epidermis in level I to subcutaneous fat in level V. |
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| cutaneous horn | Small hard, yellowish brown growths, which often, though not always, resemble miniature horns. |
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| dermoscope | A diagnostic instrument that magnifies the internal structures of a pigmented lesion. |
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| epidermis | The top layer of skin
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| erythema | Reddening of the skin |
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| fascia | Thick fibrous tissue that lies beneath the skin fat and surrounds the muscles |
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| granulation | The formation of new tissue that arises during the healing process to fill in a wound. |
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| immunosuppression | A state in which the immunue system is weakened. It can be caused by certain drugs, organ transplants, or illness. |
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| in-transit metastases | Melanoma that has spread more than 2 centimeters from the primary tumor, but has not reached the nearby lymph nodes. |
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| interleukin-2 | A large protein molecule produced by T-cells that activates cells in the immune system.
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| invasive | A tumor which penetrates into the deeper skin structures, the lymph nodes, or the internal organs. |
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| keloid | Overgrown scar tissue that extends far beyond the original surgical borders. |
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| keratin | A protein that is the principal component of skin, hair, and nails, providing structural support. |
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| keratinocyte | A type of epidermal cell that produces keratin. |
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| keratoacanthoma | A round, rapidly growing tumor that appears mainly on sun-exposed skin. |
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| lesion | An abnormal change in tissue, usually caused by illness or injury, restricted to a specific area. A skin cancer is sometimes referred to as a skin lesion. |
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| lymphocytes | White blood cells formed in lymphatic tissue. |
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| lymphokines | Substances released by lymphocytes in response to stimulation by an antigen. |
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| melanin | Pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. |
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