What is the medical term for the surgical removal of a breast?

The surgical removal of a breast is referred to as a mastectomy. This procedure is typically performed as a treatment for breast cancer or other breast diseases. It involves the excision of breast tissue, which may include the removal of nearby lymph nodes and possibly some surrounding tissue, depending on the extent of the disease and the type of mastectomy being performed. There are various types of mastectomy, such as total mastectomy and partial mastectomy, each characterized by the specific tissue removed.

In contrast, lumpectomy refers to the removal of a tumor along with a small margin of surrounding tissue, preserving most of the breast. Tracheostomy is a procedure that involves creating an opening in the trachea to facilitate breathing, and vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure for reconstructing the vagina. Each of these terms pertains to entirely different areas of surgical intervention and anatomy, emphasizing the specificity of the term mastectomy in relation to breast surgery.