n. 1. see melanism. 2. a disorder in the body’s production of the pigment melanin. 3. *cachexia associated with the spread of the skin cancer *melanoma. —melanotic adj.
Black or brown discoloration of the colon lining, associated with chronic constipation and prolonged use of certain laxative drugs, such as senna, rhubarb, and cascara.
The discoloration is most common in elderly people and is usually symptomless, clearing up when the laxatives are stopped.
Rarely, it is associated with colon cancer (see colon, cancer of).... melanosis coli
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