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
After being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a double mastectomy, the X-Men: Apocalypse actress welcomed her Méi via a surrogate.
—
Kayla Grant, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Kochan, who ultimately had to get a bilateral mastectomy, used Boyer’s boobs as the model for her own reconstructive surgery.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025
Maryland insurers already cover breast prostheses for mastectomy patients, recognizing their importance for body image and mental health.
—Nathan Kattapuram, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
Teenagers might start hormone therapy, and, in rare cases, some older teens may receive a double mastectomy, where both breasts are removed.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastectomy
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Kayla Grant, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Kochan, who ultimately had to get a bilateral mastectomy, used Boyer’s boobs as the model for her own reconstructive surgery.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025
Maryland insurers already cover breast prostheses for mastectomy patients, recognizing their importance for body image and mental health.
—Nathan Kattapuram, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
Teenagers might start hormone therapy, and, in rare cases, some older teens may receive a double mastectomy, where both breasts are removed.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 29 Jan. 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 22 Apr. 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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