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Oncology module
Welcome, Translator!
Medical words look hard until you see the trick: most are built from small parts — a prefix at the front, a root in the middle and a suffix at the end. Learn the parts and you can translate words you have never seen before.
In this book
- 14 word parts for Oncology
- 15 medical terms in 2 lessons: Basic cancer terms, Various types of tumors
- Dr. Rob’s plain-language explanation for each term
- Two review worksheets with an answer key, plus game links on every page
🪙 You earn LEARN It coins as you turn the pages, and a chapter badge when you reach each section.
Oncology Word Parts
Use these prefixes, roots and suffixes to translate the terms in this book. A dash shows where the part attaches: cardio- starts a word, -itis ends one.
| Word part | Meaning | Type | Find it in |
|---|---|---|---|
| adeno- | gland | Prefix / root | Adenoma, Adenectomy |
| anti- | against | Prefix / root | Antineoplastic |
| carcino- | cancerous | Prefix / root | Carcinoma |
| cerebro- | brain (cerebrum) | Prefix / root | Cerebroma |
| lipo- | fat | Prefix / root | Lipoma |
| lympho- | lymph tissue (lymph node) | Prefix / root | Lymphoma, Lymphocyte |
| melano- | pigmented | Prefix / root | Melanoma, Melanoderma |
| neo- | new | Prefix / root | Antineoplastic, Neoplasm |
| -ologist | physician who studies | Suffix | Oncologist, Audiologist |
| -ology | the study of | Suffix | Oncology |
| -oma | tumor – referring to an abnormal growth of cells | Suffix | Adenoma, Carcinoma |
| onco- | tumor – referring to the study of tumors | Prefix / root | Oncologist, Oncology |
| -plastic | (-plasm) growth | Suffix | Antineoplastic |
| sarc- | flesh (connective tissue plus bone) | Prefix / root | Sarcoma |
Basic cancer terms
Dr. Rob explains · The medical term antineoplastic is any substance that works against new tumor growth. Usually antineoplastics are referring to chemotherapy medication treatments for cancer. This term is comprised of three word parts: anti – which means against, neo – referring to something that is new, and - plastic which references growth. Medications that are antineoplastic chemotherapy drugs keep cancer from growing by targeting rapidly growing cancer cells. This category of medications come in tablets or capsules, liquid, and very typically intravenous fluids.
Basic cancer terms continued
Dr. Rob explains · As discussed in the last segment, tumors that spread and take over other tissues are considered malignant and can also be referred to as a metastasis or a spreading tumor. When discussing spreading tumors, you may need an action word to indicate that the tumor is in the process of spreading to other tissues. The medical term metastasize is a verb and means the action of cancer spreading to other tissues in the body. For example, one might say a sentence such as: _"The treatment is intended to keep the tumor from metastasizing." Or “If the treatment is unsuccessful, the tumor may metastasize.” _ If you are referring to the spreading tumor and need an adjective to describe the growth, another form of this word can be used….
Dr. Rob explains · When the word part neo – referring to something that is new is placed with the word part -plasm meaning growth, we get the medical term neoplasm or a new growth. The term neoplasm is a general term that can refer to anything from small harmless growths to cancerous masses. Any new growth, lesion or ulceration that is abnormal is considered a neoplasm. When a new growth appears in the body, the neoplasm may be an indication that cells might be growing or dividing more than they should or could refer to cells not dying when they should.
Basic cancer terms continued
Dr. Rob explains · The medical area of Oncology is the science of studying tumors. The word part onco- means tumor while the word part -ology means the “study of”. A tumor is any abnormal tissue growth in the body. Many people make the association of oncology with cancer because perhaps they know someone who has had a cancerous tumor and worked with an oncologist as the physician who studies tumors. A treatment plan to deal with the tumor will be developed by a patient’s oncologist which will vary greatly depending upon the tumor’s level of severity as well as location. When referring to a person who studies an area of medicine, the word part -ologist is used as it often is indicating that the person is a physician.
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The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
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Dr. Rob explains · When the word part adeno - meaning gland is combined with the word part - oma meaning tumor, we have the medical term adenoma which is a tumor of a gland. Adenomas can be found in glands or in gland-like cells that line other organs. Most of these tumors are benign but should be detected early and removed to avoid turning cancerous. The severity of adenomas can differ greatly based upon their size and their location.
Dr. Rob explains · The medical term carcinoma refers to a cancerous tumor and is made up of two word parts: carcino - meaning cancerous and - oma referring to a tumor. Cancer that starts in the skin or tissue lining organs like the kidneys or liver is considered a carcinoma and may or may not spread to other organs. Symptoms will depend upon the location and type of carcinoma. The most common forms include two types of skin cancers - basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – as well as renal cell carcinoma found in the kidneys.
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Dr. Rob explains · A cerebroma is a tumor of the cerebrum or main portion of tissue in the brain. The word part cerebro - meaning cerebrum portion of the brain is combined with the word part - oma meaning tumor to create this medical term. Any mass or tumor in the main tissues of the brain can be called a cerebroma, but could just as easily be called an encephaloma as the two terms are synonyms for the same condition. Encephaloma combines the word part –oma with the word part encephalo- meaning brain. Common symptoms of brain tumors include: increasing headaches, blurred vision, confusion or poor balance, and seizures.
Dr. Rob explains · When the word part lipo - meaning fat is combined with the word part - oma meaning tumor, we have the medical term lipoma referring to a fatty tissue tumor. This fatty lump grows slowly over time, is usually harmless and rarely cancerous. A lipoma is found between the skin and underlying muscle structure and can be surgically removed if it is painful or annoying to the patient.
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Dr. Rob explains · When the word part lymph – referring to lymph tissue or a lymph node is combined with the word part - oma meaning a tumor, we have the medical term lymphoma or a lymph tissue tumor. A lymphoma can develop in various parts of the body wherever lymph nodes are prevalent and are usually seen first in swollen lymph nodes. In this type of tumor, affected lymphocytes (or lymph white blood cells) reproduce faster instead of dying normally to give space for new cells.
Dr. Rob explains · is the medical term that refers to a tumor of melanocytes which are pigmented cells in the skin. It is derived from two word parts: melano – which means pigmented referring to cells in this case and - oma meaning tumor. Skin cancer is one of the most common categories of cancer with melanoma being the most dangerous and deadly form of skin cancer. Early detection of skin cancer is very important and essential to keep it at bay. If you notice moles or any other skin markings that change in size, shape, color, or become asymmetrical, these are vital warning signs that should not be ignored.
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Get this eBook · $9.99All 14 eBooks + Ambassador membership · $49Already an Ambassador? This series is included with your membership.Sign in to unlockVarious types of tumors continued
Dr. Rob explains · A sarcoma is a tumor of the connective tissues (or sometime bone) and is comprised of two word parts: sarco – literally translated as meaning "flesh" but practically translated as connective tissues and - oma meaning tumor. A sarcoma is a broad group of cancers that originate from soft connective tissues that support other structures. Possible tissues that are usually affected by a sarcoma include tendons, ligaments, muscle, fat, or vessels. These types of tumors are uncommon, and it is also unclear of why they occur.
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Get this eBook · $9.99All 14 eBooks + Ambassador membership · $49Already an Ambassador? This series is included with your membership.Sign in to unlockTranslate It! Word Part Matching
Write the letter of the meaning on the line next to each word part. Answers are on the Answer Key page.
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Write the medical term that matches each definition. Use the word bank.
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Get this eBook · $9.99All 14 eBooks + Ambassador membership · $49Already an Ambassador? This series is included with your membership.Sign in to unlockThe Oncology Game Lab
Every game uses the terms from this book. Each one earns Live It and Train the Brain coins, and every term you master adds to your progress bar.
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The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
Get this eBook · $9.99All 14 eBooks + Ambassador membership · $49Already an Ambassador? This series is included with your membership.Sign in to unlockTeach It Forward
The fastest way to remember a word is to teach it. Your Share It challenge:
- Pick three terms from this book — for example Antineoplastic, Benign, Malignant.
- Explain each one to a family member or friend by breaking it into its word parts.
- Ask them: “If your doctor used one of these words, what question would you ask?”
- Post what you learned in your group or the Share It Studio to earn your SHARE It coins.
Be a Prepared Patient
When a doctor uses a word you don’t know, it is always okay to ask: “Can you break that word down for me?” Now you can often do it yourself.
Keep translating Oncology
The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
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Word Part Matching
Term Fill-In
- Antineoplastic
- Benign
- Malignant
- Metastasize
- Neoplasm
- Oncologist
- Oncology
- Tumor
- Adenoma
- Carcinoma
Source: Terminology Translator — Terms Lists and Work Pages, Force for Health Academy. Explanations adapted from Dr. Rob’s Terminology Translator video scripts.
Keep translating Oncology
The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
Get this eBook · $9.99All 14 eBooks + Ambassador membership · $49Already an Ambassador? This series is included with your membership.Sign in to unlock14 body systems. One translator.
Each eBook pairs with Dr. Rob’s video lesson in the Force for Health Academy and the Terminology Translator games.
theforce.health · FFH Virtual Library · Medical TerminologyKeep translating Oncology
The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
Get this eBook · $9.99All 14 eBooks + Ambassador membership · $49Already an Ambassador? This series is included with your membership.Sign in to unlock