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

Even with those limitations, the researchers concluded, "Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher occurrence of moderate to severe postoperative pain and increased opioid consumption in patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy."

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

A jury last month found that a psychologist and surgeon had committed malpractice over a double mastectomy performed on a 16-year-old without adequate consent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

The Oscar-winning actor announced in 2013 that she had undergone a double mastectomy, followed by a double oophorectomy in 2015, due to her genetic predisposition to cancer.

From Barron's • Dec. 15, 2025

The Welsh dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

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

From State of the Union Address by Clinton, William Jefferson