Etymed
mastectomy
Definition
surgical removal of the breast, typically performed as a treatment for breast cancer
Clinical context
A 58-year-old woman presents with a palpable mass in her right breast discovered during routine self-examination. Imaging studies reveal a malignant tumor with no evidence of distant metastasis. The patient undergoes a modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection. Histopathological examination confirms invasive ductal carcinoma. The surgical specimen shows clear margins with no residual disease. Postoperatively, the patient is referred to oncology for adjuvant therapy planning and reconstructive surgery consultation.
Mnemonic
M-A-S-T-E-C-T-O-M-Y - Mastectomy: Major Surgical Treatment for Cancer of the Tumor