mastectomy

Definition

The surgical removal of one or both breasts, typically performed to treat or prevent breast cancer when less invasive options aren't sufficient. It's a life-saving procedure that represents one of medicine's toughest trade-offs, exchanging tissue for survival. Modern reconstructive techniques have improved outcomes, but it remains one of the most emotionally and physically challenging surgeries patients can face.

Example Usage

After genetic testing revealed her high cancer risk, she opted for a preventive double mastectomy.

Source: Medical surgical terminology

Related Terms

Beginner

biopsy

The removal and microscopic examination of tissue, cells, or fluid from a living body to determine disease presence, type, or extent—essentially, when doctors take samples to figure out what's actually wrong. It's the definitive diagnostic tool that moves you from 'probably fine' to 'here's exactly what we're dealing with.' Can range from quick needle aspirations to surgical excisions, all sharing the common goal of making pathologists squint at slides.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Intermediate

homeopathic

In medicine, referring to the controversial practice of diluting substances to microscopic (or non-existent) levels while claiming therapeutic effects. In business slang, sarcastically describing anything so diluted or minimal it's essentially useless. When your boss gives you a "homeopathic" budget increase, you got 0.5%.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Intermediate

haematology

The British spelling of hematology, proving that even blood specialists can't agree on vowel placement. It's the study of blood and blood-producing organs, with extra 'a' for that Commonwealth flair. Same diseases, same microscopes, different spelling—medicine's tribute to linguistic diversity.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Beginner

NPO

Abbreviation for 'nil per os' (nothing by mouth), meaning you're forbidden from eating or drinking anything—usually before surgery, though it feels like medieval punishment.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Beginner

hypoxia

Insufficient oxygen at the tissue level, when cells are gasping for air and not getting enough. It's the reason pulse oximeters exist and why oxygen is the most commonly prescribed drug in hospitals.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Beginner

mortality

The medical field's euphemism for death rate—how often people die from a particular condition. Statisticians use it to make dying sound academic; everyone else uses it to decide which diseases to fear most.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

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