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sarcoma
(sahr-ko´mә)
pl. sarcomas, sarco´mata
A type of tumor usually composed of cells derived from connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, muscle, blood vessel, or
lymphoid tissue, although the term now includes some of epithelial origin. Most sarcomas are malignant, and they usually develop
rapidly with metastasis through the lymph channels. Different types are named for the specific tissue they affect: fibrosarcoma in fibrous connective tissue; lymphosarcoma in lymphoid tissues; osteosarcoma in bone; chondrosarcoma in cartilage; rhabdosarcoma in muscle; and liposarcoma in fat cells. adj., sarco´matous., adj.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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