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.