Which suffix indicates a tumor or mass?

• A. -oma
• B. -pathy
• C. -penia
• D. -rrhexis

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that the suffix -oma signals a tumor or mass. When doctors see a term ending in -oma, it typically refers to an abnormal growth arising from a specific tissue, such as lipoma (a fat tissue mass), adenoma (a glandular tumor), or osteoma (a bone tumor). Some -omas are benign, some can be malignant, but the suffix itself indicates a growth or swelling of tissue.

Other suffixes describe different concepts. -pathy means disease or disorder of a tissue or organ, as in neuropathy. -penia means a deficiency or shortage of cells or substances, as in leukopenia. -rrhexis means rupture or bursting, as in myorrhexis. These indicate conditions or processes rather than a mass.