What is the surgical removal of a breast called?

The surgical removal of a breast is called a mastectomy. This procedure is primarily performed to treat breast cancer or to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women who have a high genetic risk for the disease. A mastectomy involves the removal of breast tissue and can vary in extent, ranging from the removal of the entire breast to a portion of it, depending on the specific medical circumstances.

The other options refer to different surgical procedures: a partial lobectomy involves the removal of a portion of the lung, an appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, and an adenoidectomy refers to the removal of the adenoids, tissues located at the back of the nose. Understanding the specific terminology for these various procedures underscores the importance of accurate medical language in the context of surgical interventions.