mastectomy

American  

[ma-stek-tuh-mee] / mæˈstɛk tə mi /

noun

Surgery.

plural

mastectomies

1. the operation of removing all or part of the breast or mamma.

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mastectomy British  

/ mæˈstɛktəmɪ /

noun

1. the surgical removal of a breast

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mastectomy Scientific  

/ mă-stĕk′tə-mē /

1. Surgical removal of all or part of a breast, performed as a treatment for cancer.

2. ◆ A radical mastectomy includes excision of the underlying pectoral muscles and regional lymph nodes.

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mastectomy Cultural  

1. The surgical removal of a breast.

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Other Word Forms

• postmastectomy adjective

Etymology

Origin of mastectomy

First recorded in 1920–25; mast- + -ectomy

Example Sentences

US actor Angelina Jolie revealed her double mastectomy scars in a photo shoot for Time France, in the magazine's first French edition that launched this week.

From Barron's

The 35-year old, who is from Caerphilly, revealed she was still receiving monthly injections on an oncology unit and underwent another mastectomy five weeks ago.

From BBC

Breast cancer patients suffered unnecessary mastectomies, delayed diagnoses and a lack of compassionate care at an NHS Trust in north-east England, the BBC has learned.

From BBC

At 17, she was on testosterone, and at 18, she had a double mastectomy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Having now lost a breast to a mastectomy, she feels betrayed.

From Barron's