Definition of Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy: The surgical removal of a small tumor (a lump)
which may or may not be benign (or malignant). Lumpectomy has come to
refer specially to the removal of a lump from the breast.
The word "lumpectomy" is a hybrid term. "Lump" is of Middle
English origin while "-ectomy" comes from two Greek roots "ek" (out)
+ "tome" (a cutting) = a cutting of. So a lumpectomy is literally "a
cutting out of a lump."
A lumpectomy is as opposed to a mastectomy in which the breast is
removed. It is a more conservative approach to breast tumor
surgery.
Last Editorial Review: 1/15/2000
Back to MedTerms online medical dictionary A-Z List