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

When mammography became standard in the 1970s, surgeons were still performing mastectomies on most patients. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Andrea underwent chemotherapy, immunotherapy and a double mastectomy. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) lists lasting pain or discomfort, along with arm and shoulder pain and stiffness, among the possible risks of mastectomy. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026

Melanie too is cancer-free after chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation and immunotherapy. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek mastos breast + English -ectomy

First Known Use

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mastectomy

• colectomy
• cystectomy
• gastrectomy
• lobectomy
• nephrectomy
• splenectomy
• thymectomy
• vasectomy
• vitrectomy
• adrenalectomy
• cholecystectomy
• endarterectomy

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