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
He was diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy to remove his left breast.
—
Caché McClay, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
February 14, 2025 One year ago, Bianca Balti spoke with Vogue about her BRCA1 diagnosis and the choice to undergo a preventative mastectomy.
—Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Jolie was reported to have had an 87 percent chance of developing the disease, so opted for double mastectomy surgery, reducing her risk to around 5 percent in the process.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
The film covers Perry’s abusive childhood, her strained relationship with her mother, a secret battle with breast cancer and double mastectomy as well as her creative process working with artists such as Brandi Carlisle and Kate Hudson.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2024
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Caché McClay, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
February 14, 2025 One year ago, Bianca Balti spoke with Vogue about her BRCA1 diagnosis and the choice to undergo a preventative mastectomy.
—Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Jolie was reported to have had an 87 percent chance of developing the disease, so opted for double mastectomy surgery, reducing her risk to around 5 percent in the process.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
The film covers Perry’s abusive childhood, her strained relationship with her mother, a secret battle with breast cancer and double mastectomy as well as her creative process working with artists such as Brandi Carlisle and Kate Hudson.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for mastectomy
Cite this Entry
“Mastectomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastectomy. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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