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
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From sharing her initial diagnosis, to her post-chemo beach proposal, to modeling mastectomy bras for Victoria's Secret, her story has resonated with many.
—
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Eventually, the tests led to a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer and a mastectomy.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 5 May 2025
The comic, 42, talked about caring for Munn, 44, after she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in both breasts – which required multiple surgeries including a double mastectomy – on Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson’s SiriusXM podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name.
—Staff Author, People.com, 21 May 2025
After getting a partial mastectomy last year to remove a breast lesion, his wife is scheduled for several follow-up appointments with a variety of doctors this year.
—Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastectomy
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Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Eventually, the tests led to a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer and a mastectomy.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 5 May 2025
The comic, 42, talked about caring for Munn, 44, after she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in both breasts – which required multiple surgeries including a double mastectomy – on Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson’s SiriusXM podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name.
—Staff Author, People.com, 21 May 2025
After getting a partial mastectomy last year to remove a breast lesion, his wife is scheduled for several follow-up appointments with a variety of doctors this year.
—Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastectomy
Cite this Entry
“Mastectomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastectomy. Accessed 27 Jun. 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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