What is the surgical procedure for the removal of a breast called?

The surgical procedure for the removal of a breast is called a mastectomy. This operation is typically performed to treat breast cancer or other breast diseases. In a mastectomy, all or part of the breast tissue is surgically excised, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes may also be removed to help prevent the spread of cancer.

Mastectomy can involve different techniques, such as total mastectomy, which removes the entire breast, or lumpectomy, which involves removing only the tumor along with a margin of surrounding tissue, although the latter is not classified as a mastectomy in the traditional sense. Importantly, this procedure is a critical part of treatment plans for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and is aimed at reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

The other procedures listed are unrelated to breast surgery. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows surgeons to access the abdominal cavity, typically for various procedures such as gallbladder removal or diagnostics. Hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus, primarily for conditions affecting the reproductive organs, and colostomy is a surgery that creates an opening from the colon to the outside of the body, typically used in cases of bowel disease. Understanding the distinction and purpose of these surgeries is