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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Fergie was diagnosed with breast cancer (and underwent a single mastectomy) in June 2023 and was later diagnosed with malignant melanoma (a form of skin cancer) months later in January 2024.
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Janine Henni, People.com, 16 May 2025
During the reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, Ferguson had moles removed which were then tested.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
On the three-year anniversary of that surgery, Shearer underwent an emergency surgery to remedy the issues and complications she’s battled since her initial mastectomy.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
Federal law mandates that private insurers cover breast restorations for women who undergo mastectomies because of cancer or genetic risk.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 2025
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Janine Henni, People.com, 16 May 2025
During the reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, Ferguson had moles removed which were then tested.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
On the three-year anniversary of that surgery, Shearer underwent an emergency surgery to remedy the issues and complications she’s battled since her initial mastectomy.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
Federal law mandates that private insurers cover breast restorations for women who undergo mastectomies because of cancer or genetic risk.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 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 4 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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