ataxia-telangiectasia
noun
atax·ia-tel·an·gi·ec·ta·sia ə-ˈtak-sē-ə-ˌte-ˌlan-jē-ˌek-ˈtā-zh(ē-)ə 
-tē-,
-tə-,
(ˌ)ā-
: an inherited systemic disorder marked especially by progressive pathological changes in the nervous system resulting in loss of motor coordination and by increased susceptibility to cancer especially of lymphoid tissue
Word History
First Known Use
1957, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
ataxia-telangiectasia
noun
: an inherited, systemic disorder that is marked especially by progressive pathological changes in the nervous system resulting in loss of motor coordination, telangiectasias especially on the eyes, ears, and cheeks, and immunodeficiency leading to increased susceptibility to cancer especially of lymphoid tissue
Many children with ataxia-telangiectasia die from respiratory failure or cancer by their teens or early 20s.
Bill Minutaglio, The Dallas Morning News
Bill Minutaglio, The Dallas Morning NewsDefects in such a multifunctional protein might explain many of the clinical manifestations seen in patients with ataxia–telangiectasia. Michael Kastan, The New England Journal of Medicine
Michael Kastan, The New England Journal of MedicineNote: Ataxia-telangiectasia is inherited as a recessive autosomal trait requiring that both parents pass on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.