US Medical Term · procedures
Mastectomy
Mastectomía
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Mastectomy |
| Spanish (Español) | Mastectomía |
| Chinese (中文) | 乳房切除術 |
| Korean (한국어) | 유방절제술 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Phẫu thuật cắt bỏ vú |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Mastectomy |
| Portuguese (Português) | Mastectomia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การผ่าตัดเต้านม |
| Japanese (日本語) | 乳房切除術 |
What it means
A mastectomy is surgery to remove one or both breasts, partially or completely. It is most commonly performed to treat or prevent breast cancer. Types include total mastectomy, which removes the entire breast, and skin-sparing or nipple-sparing approaches that may allow for immediate reconstruction. Lymph nodes may also be removed to check for cancer spread. The surgery is done under general anesthesia and typically takes two to three hours. Hospital stay is one to two days. Drainage tubes placed during surgery are removed after several days at a follow-up visit. Many women choose breast reconstruction, which can be started at the time of mastectomy. Full recovery takes four to six weeks.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My breast surgeon is recommending a mastectomy to remove the cancer and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Mi cirujana de mama recomienda una mastectomía para extirpar el cáncer y reducir el riesgo de recidiva.
Can I have breast reconstruction done at the same time as the mastectomy?
¿Puedo hacerme la reconstrucción mamaria al mismo tiempo que la mastectomía?
Will I need chemotherapy or radiation after a mastectomy?
¿Necesitaré quimioterapia o radioterapia después de la mastectomía?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026