| melanocytes | The melanin-producing cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. |
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| moles | Pigmented lesions on the skin. These are benign tumors of melanocytes. Also called nevi. |
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| monoclonal antibodies | Molecules that bind or attach themselves to only one type of antigen. |
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| nevus | A pigmented or unpigmented common mole on the skin. The plural is nevi. |
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| nodule | A rounded growth that protrudes above the surface of the skin. |
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| noduloulcerative basal cell carcinoma | Also called nodular bcc, it is the most common type, and usually resembles a smooth, round, waxy pimple |
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| non-comedogenic | Products that do not clog the pores of the skin.
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| nonmalignant | Benign, not cancerous. |
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| nonmelanoma | The overall name for skin cancers other than melanomas. The most common ones are basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. |
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| oncologist | A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers or tumors. |
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| organs | Body structures both internal and external, such as the skin, eyes, liver, and kidneys. |
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| ozone | Chemically, a cluster of three oxygen atoms created by a photochemical reaction between oxygen molecules and solar radiation. The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet rays and keeps them from reaching the earth’s surface. |
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| papillary dermis | The upper portion of the second layer of skin directly below the epidermis. |
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| papule | A small bump on the skin. |
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| pathology | The study of cause and development of disease. |
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| photosensitivity | Low tolerance to light, manifested as burning, rashes or swelling. |
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| prognosis | A forecast of the probable outcome of a disease.
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| reconstruction | The repair of defects on the skin after the removal of a lesion. |
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| resect | To cut or remove a tumor or other structures, such as lymph nodes. |
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| reticular dermis | The lower portion of the second layer of skin. |
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| sentinel node | The lymph node that is closest to a given tumor, the first place where metastasis is likely to occur. |
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| solar radiation | Light rays, both visible and invisible, produced by
the sun
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| SPF | Sun Protection Factor
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| stratum corneum | The outermost layer of the epidermis, comprised of dead skin cells. |
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| subcutaneous fat | A layer of fatty tissue located just below the dermis. |
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