xeroderma pigmentosum

English - English

Definition of xeroderma pigmentosum in English English dictionary

A rare genetic disorder in which DNA damaged by ultraviolet light is not repaired and the skin becomes sensitive to such light; a skin cancer that can subsequently develop

a rare genetic condition characterized by an eruption of exposed skin occurring in childhood and photosensitivity with severe sunburn; inherited as a recessive autosomal trait in which DNA repair processesm are defective so they are more likely to chromosome breaks and cancers when exposed to ultraviolet light

{i} (Medicine) genetic disease of dry skin that becomes discolored and is characterized by unusual sensitivity to sunlight

Hyphenation

xe·ro·der·ma pigmentosum

Etymology

() From Ancient Greek ξηρός (ksēros, “dry”) δέρμα (derma, “skin”) and Latin pigmentōsus (“pigmented, stained”).