adenocarcinoma

noun

ad·​e·​no·​car·​ci·​no·​ma ˌa-də-(ˌ)nō-ˌkär-sə-ˈnō-mə How to pronounce adenocarcinoma (audio)
: a malignant tumor originating in glandular epithelium
adenocarcinomatous
ˌa-də-(ˌ)nō-ˌkär-sə-ˈnō-mə-təs How to pronounce adenocarcinoma (audio)
adjective

Examples of adenocarcinoma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sadruddin had survived mucinous colloid adenocarcinoma, an unusual form of breast cancer, and had become a devotee of Rau’s at the Paracelsus clinic. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Last week, Pope Leo had part of his right lung removed because of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. — Meeri Kim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 The pontiff was diagnosed with the common cancer of lung adenocarcinoma, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a procedure that lasted about 90 minutes. — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40% of all cases. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adenocarcinoma

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Adenocarcinome, from adeno- adeno- + Carcinome carcinoma

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adenocarcinoma was in 1872

Rhymes for adenocarcinoma

See All Rhymes for adenocarcinoma

Browse Nearby Words

adeno-
adenocarcinoma
adenochrome
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adenocarcinoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adenocarcinoma. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

adenocarcinoma

noun
ad·​e·​no·​car·​ci·​no·​ma -ˌkärs-ᵊn-ˈō-mə How to pronounce adenocarcinoma (audio)
plural adenocarcinomas also adenocarcinomata -mət-ə How to pronounce adenocarcinoma (audio)
: a malignant tumor originating in glandular epithelium
adenocarcinomatous
-mət-əs How to pronounce adenocarcinoma (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on adenocarcinoma

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adenocarcinoma

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