What is the meaning of suffix-oma?

The suffix "-oma" is a Greek suffix that means tumor or swelling. It is often used in medical terms to denote a mass or growth of cells, whether benign or malignant.

Here's a breakdown of its usage:

* -oma by itself generally refers to a tumor, but it's often combined with other prefixes to indicate the specific type of tumor or its location.

Examples:

* Lipoma: A benign tumor of fat cells.

* Melanoma: A malignant tumor of melanocytes (skin pigment cells).

* Myeloma: A tumor of plasma cells in bone marrow.

* Sarcoma: A tumor of connective tissue.

Note: Not all words ending in "-oma" refer to tumors. Some words use "-oma" to denote other types of growths or formations, such as:

* Cystoma: A cyst filled with fluid.

* Hematoma: A localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels.

Overall, "-oma" is a common suffix in medical terminology, particularly in oncology (the study of cancer). It helps identify different types of growths and provides valuable information for diagnosis and treatment.