mastectomy

noun

mas·​tec·​to·​my ma-ˈstek-tə-mē 

plural mastectomies

: surgical removal of all or part of the breast and sometimes associated lymph nodes and muscles

Did you know?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Early cases can often be treated with drugs or with a small operation called a lumpectomy (because it removes a lump). Though a "simple mastectomy" is larger than a lumpectomy, it allows the breast to be reconstructed, using artificial implants or tissue from elsewhere on the body. But "radical mastectomy", which is required when the cancer is at an advanced stage, takes much of the chest muscle and makes reconstruction impossible.

Examples of mastectomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Munn later opened up to PEOPLE about how undergoing a double mastectomy initially affected her ability to be as hands-on with Malcolm. —Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Health insurance costs:Rising premiums for the insured this year may surprise you Justine, 51, a UnitedHealthcare customer who works at a nonprofit in New York City, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and underwent a double mastectomy in 2018. —Stephanie Kelly and Julie Steenhuysen, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

In a powerful and deeply personal move, the former Daily Show correspondent decided to showcase her mastectomy scars in a SKIMS campaign, sparking an important conversation about body acceptance and breast cancer recovery. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2024

The singer opted have a double mastectomy in May, but during the procedure, her medical team discovered a stage 1 tumor. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek mastos breast + English -ectomy

First Known Use

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mastectomy

noun

mas·​tec·​to·​my ma-ˈstek-tə-mē 

plural mastectomies

: surgical removal of all or part of the breast and sometimes associated lymph nodes and muscles see modified radical mastectomy, partial mastectomy, radical mastectomy, simple mastectomy