mastectomy

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Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A surgical operation to remove all or part of a breast, typically performed to treat or prevent breast cancer. A mastectomy is a major surgical procedure where breast tissue is removed.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • After her diagnosis, she opted for a mastectomy.
    • A preventive mastectomy can significantly reduce the risk of cancer for high-risk patients.
    • The surgeon explained the differences between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy.
Advanced Usage
  • "to undergo a mastectomy": to have the surgical procedure performed.
    • She had to undergo a double mastectomy.
  • "prophylactic mastectomy": a preventive surgery performed to reduce cancer risk, not to treat an existing cancer.
    • Due to a strong family history, she chose a prophylactic mastectomy.
Variants and Related Words
  • Mastectomies (n): The plural form of mastectomy.
    • Advances in technique have improved outcomes for mastectomies.
  • Mastectomized (adj): Having undergone a mastectomy. (Note: This term is less common and can be considered clinical or insensitive in casual contexts; "post-mastectomy" is often preferred.)
    • The support group is for mastectomized women. (More common: ...for women post-mastectomy.)
Synonyms
  • Breast removal surgery: A descriptive synonym.
  • Mammectomy: A less common, synonymous medical term.
Related Phrases
  • Post-mastectomy: Referring to the period or condition after the surgery.
    • Post-mastectomy recovery can take several weeks.
  • Skin-sparing mastectomy: A surgical technique that preserves the breast skin for reconstruction.
    • She was a candidate for a skin-sparing mastectomy.
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy: A technique that preserves the nipple and areola.
    • The nipple-sparing mastectomy allowed for a more natural reconstruction.
Noun
  1. surgical removal of a breast to remove a malignant tumor