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simple mastectomy

simple mastectomy

4.3
An operation that removes a breast but leaves the chest muscles and lymph nodes still there
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪmpəl mæˈstɛktəmi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mastectomía simple
  • After undergoing a simple mastectomy, she recovered quickly and did not need further surgery.

Examples

  • The surgeon recommended a simple mastectomy because the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes.

  • The doctor recommended a simple mastectomy for her condition.

  • A simple mastectomy is often performed for early-stage breast cancer as it is less invasive.

  • After her diagnosis, she chose to undergo a simple mastectomy.

  • The doctor explained that a simple mastectomy would remove the breast tissue but preserve the muscles underneath.

  • After discussing her options, she decided to proceed with a simple mastectomy to treat her breast cancer.

  • Many women choose a simple mastectomy as a less invasive option for breast cancer treatment.

Synonyms

mastectomy
vssimple mastectomy
  • Specialized
28 6.0

To remove a breast in surgery to treat or stop cancer

preserves chest muscles and lymph nodes rather than removing them

Antonyms

radical mastectomy
  • Specialized
3 6.1

Surgery that removes a breast, chest muscles, and lymph nodes under the armpit to treat breast cancer

How Extensive

radical mastectomy
  • Specialized
3 6.1
modified radical mastectomy
  • Specialized
1 6.8
simple mastectomy
  • Specialized
4.3
lumpectomy
  • Specialized
8 6.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

simple + mastectomy

The phrase is compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'mastectomy' (surgical removal of a breast) and 'simple' (basic/less extensive) can infer this denotes a less extensive type of mastectomy. However, the precise clinical detail (e.g. which tissues are preserved) is specialised medical knowledge and not fully predictable from the constituents, so it is only partially transparent to learners.

Etymology

Simple mastectomy comes from the words simple and mastectomy: mastectomy means removing a breast and simple was used to show the surgeon removed 'only the breast', not the muscles or lymph nodes. That's why simple mastectomy means an operation that removes the breast but leaves the deeper tissues in place.