Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure in which one or both ovaries are removed. This operation can be performed for various reasons, including the removal of cancerous ovarian tissue, the treatment of certain medical conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and as part of a preventative measure in women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer. The term "oophorectomy" comes from the Greek words "oos," meaning egg, and "orektomia," meaning removal by surgery.