Definition: When lymph nodes are surgically removed for cancer staging or treatment, it is called "lymph node dissection." When the dissection is thorough and most visible lymph nodes are removed, the dissection is termed "lymphadenectomy." The word can be broken up into lymph and aden, meaning gland-like, and ectomy, which means removal of.
Examples:
Her ovarian cancer staging surgery included a left pelvic lymphadenectomy, during which most lymph nodes on the left side were removed.
