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.'</P> A lumpectomy is as opposed to a mastectomy in which the breast is removed.

It is a more conservative approach to breast tumor surgery.