What condition does the term '-itis' describe?

The term '-itis' is commonly used in medical terminology to denote inflammation. This suffix is derived from the Greek word for inflammation and is typically added to the root of a word that indicates the specific organ or tissue involved. For instance, conditions such as arthritis (inflammation of the joints), dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), and hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) all illustrate this concept. Thus, when encountering a medical term ending in '-itis,' one can understand that the condition involves inflammation in some form.

Recognizing '-itis' as indicative of inflammation is crucial in the field of oncology and medical data pertaining to various conditions and their implications. Other options, such as constriction, formation of calculi, or expansion, do not relate to this specific suffix and its intended meaning in medical terminology.