What does gastrectomy mean?
Gastrectomy is the medical term for an operation that removes part or all of the stomach. A partial gastrectomy takes out only a section of the stomach, while a total gastrectomy removes the entire organ; subtotal and sleeve gastrectomy are specific forms of surgery with their own techniques and purposes. The term is used in surgery, oncology, weight-loss medicine, and clinical records, particularly when treating gastric cancer or other severe stomach conditions. Because it describes a significant and potentially life-changing procedure, gastrectomy is normally a formal term rather than everyday vocabulary. Its name is transparent: it combines the Greek roots for “stomach” and “excision,” directly identifying the operation. Knowing the word also helps distinguish removal of stomach tissue from gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining rather than surgery.
nounA surgical operation to remove part or all of the stomach.
- The surgical removal of part or all of the stomach.
"Her doctor recommended a partial gastrectomy after the tumour was successfully removed."
"The patient underwent a sleeve gastrectomy as part of a weight-loss procedure."
"Her medical history includes a subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple operations or in medical records.
"The complications associated with gastrectomies were reviewed by the clinical team."
One Greek root means “stomach” and the other means “excision”—so gastrectomy literally names the removal of the stomach.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gastrectomy come from?
Gastrectomy was formed in the 19th century from Greek gaster, genitive gastros, meaning “stomach,” and ektomē, meaning “excision” or “removal.” The combination entered medical usage as the established name for the relevant operation. Its relatives—including gastric, gastritis, gastroscope, and gastroenteritis—continue to use the same Greek word for the stomach.
Related word forms
How gastrectomy is actually used
A technical medical term used in surgery, oncology, and clinical records; its meaning is broadly consistent across British and US medical usage.
Easily confused with gastrectomy
Gastrectomy is an operation that removes part or all of the stomach, whereas gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.