HealthAugust 22, 2026

myeloma

my-uh-LOH-muh

Definition

A type of cancer that begins in the plasma cells, which are a specialized type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek 'myelos' meaning 'marrow' and the suffix '-oma' which denotes a tumor or swelling, reflecting its origin as a cancer occurring in the bone marrow.

In the news

Dr. Yurvati uses the term to describe his own diagnosis of multiple myeloma, marking his personal transition from a physician to a patient facing a life-altering illness.

Dr. Albert H. Yurvati Reflects on a Lifetime of Service and Resilience in “30 Degrees on Bypass”

Read the full article ↗

WebWire

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.