The term "-ectomy" refers to what action?

The term "-ectomy" comes from Greek origins, specifically the word "ektome," which means "to cut out" or "removal." In medical terminology, "-ectomy" is used as a suffix to indicate the surgical removal of a specific part of the body. For instance, an appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, and a mastectomy refers to the removal of breast tissue. This defines the term as one that is actively engaged in the action of removal, making the answer correct. The other options relate to processes that are different from removal, such as creation or replacement, thus clearly distinguishing why the action denoted by "-ectomy" is specifically about the removal of tissue or organs.