mastectomy

[ ma-stek-tuh-mee ]

noun

, Surgery.

, plural mas·tec·to·mies.

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

mastectomy

/ mæˈstɛktəmɪ /

noun

1. the surgical removal of a breast

mastectomy

/ 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.

mastectomy

1. The surgical removal of a breast.

Other Words From

• postmas·tecto·my adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mastectomy¹

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

Example Sentences

There might be a little bit of an issue with the mastectomy, because that could possibly streamline, so a little bit of an advantage there, some might say.

From Washington Blade

In April 2019, one month after she ran a 10K race to celebrate her 60th birthday, Walker’s doctor spotted another tumor in a sliver of breast tissue under her left armpit that had not been removed during the double mastectomy.

From ProPublica

For stage 4 breast cancer, there is some debate as to whether lumpectomy or mastectomy are effective options.

From No Straight News

When Angelina Jolie bravely wrote about her double mastectomy last year, it sparked both applause and criticism.

From The Daily Beast

A double-mastectomy is a serious operation and calls for a challenging recovery.

From The Daily Beast

If a double mastectomy provides a certain level of anxiety relief for patients, should surgeons proceed?

From The Daily Beast

The study aimed to help elucidate the common motivations for pursuing a double mastectomy.

From The Daily Beast

Robach said she will undergo a double mastectomy on November 14th.

From The Daily Beast

I ask your support for bipartisan legislation to guarantee that a woman can stay in the hospital for 48 hours after a mastectomy.

From Project Gutenberg