Here's a breakdown of its meaning and usage:
* Origin: It comes from the Greek word "tōma," meaning "cut" or "swelling."
* Function: It's added to the beginning of a word to describe a tumor or growth that is often abnormal.
* Examples:
* Lipoma: A tumor of fatty tissue.
* Melanoma: A malignant tumor of the skin.
* Myeloma: A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow.
It's important to note that not all "-tomas" are cancerous. Some, like lipomas, are benign. However, the suffix always indicates a localized growth or swelling.