mesothelioma n.

word-forming element, from Greek -oma, with -o-, lengthened stem vowel + -ma, suffix forming neuter nouns and nouns that indicate result of verbal action (equivalent of Latin -men); especially taken in medical use as "morbid growth, tumor," based on sarcoma, carcinoma.

before vowels mes-, word-forming element meaning "middle, intermediate, halfway," from Greek mesos "middle, in the middle; middling, moderate; between" (from PIE root *medhyo- "middle").

1748, Modern Latin (Frederick Ruysch), from Greek epi "upon" (see epi-) + thēlē "teat, nipple" (from suffixed form of PIE root *dhe(i)- "to suck"). Related: Epithelial.