What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ablation
Example
The doctor recommended ablation to remove the cancerous cells. [ablation: noun]
Example
The surgeon performed an ablation procedure to treat the patient's heart arrhythmia. [ablation: noun]
resection
Example
The patient underwent a lung resection to remove the cancerous tumor. [resection: noun]
Example
The surgeon performed a resection of the colon to treat the patient's ulcerative colitis. [resection: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Resection is more commonly used than ablation in medical contexts, especially in the treatment of cancer and other diseases that affect specific organs or tissues. Ablation is less common but can be used in various medical procedures, such as treating irregular heartbeats or abnormal growths.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ablation and resection?
Both ablation and resection are formal medical terms used by healthcare professionals and may not be commonly known by the general public.