An abnormal or premature development of the outer layer of skin cells, often seen in certain cancers or genetic conditions.
From Greek 'dys-' (bad, abnormal) + 'keras' (horn) + '-osis' (condition). The term refers to keratin, the protein that makes skin, hair, and nails tough and protective.
Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic disorder where people develop abnormal skin patterns and have a much higher cancer risk—it's taught doctors a lot about how cell aging and cancer are connected.
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