Glossary: A

A
Acral: Of, relating to, or affecting peripheral parts, such as limbs, fingers, or ears.
Actinically: Of or relating to the chemically active rays of the electromagnetic spectrum, produced by exposure to actinic radiation, such as that from the sun, ultraviolet waves, or x- or gamma radiation.
Adjuvant: An additive that enhances the effectiveness of medical treatment, augmenting its action.
AJCC: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) is an organization best known for defining and popularizing cancer staging standards.
Allogeneic: Denoting individuals of the same species but of different genetic constitution (antigenically distinct).
Amelanotic: melanomas that do not have pigment and may not even be visible (colorless or flesh-colored).
Atypia: Deviation from the normal or typical state. Atypia is a clinical term for abnormality in a cell. The term is medical jargon for an atypical cell. It may or may not be a precancerous indication associated with later malignancy, but the level of appropriate concern is highly dependent on the context with which it is diagnosed.
Autosomal: Describes a chromosome other than the X and Y sex-determining chromosomes.