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Definition of lumpectomy

lumpectomy

/lʌmˈpɛktəmi/
lump · ec · to · my
Plural:lumpectomies
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lumpectomy Lexical Profile

lumpectomy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A surgical operation in which a cancerous or benign lump and a small margin of surrounding normal tissue are removed, especially from the breast, while preserving most of the organ.

Example

"Because the tumor was detected at a very early stage, the surgeon recommended a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lumpectomy

Word Nuance & Usage

In oncology, a lumpectomy is distinct from a mastectomy: a lumpectomy is a breast-conserving surgery that removes only the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue, whereas a mastectomy removes the entire breast.

• Rhymes for lumpectomy

• Nearby Words

luminous
luminously
lump
lumpectomy
lumpfish
lumpily
lumpiness

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 1970s as a hybrid medical term combining the English noun 'lump' with the Greek-derived surgical suffix '-ectomy' (from 'ektomē', meaning 'excision').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lumpectomy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lumpectomy
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