What is the term for surgery involving the removal of one or both breasts?

The term for surgery involving the removal of one or both breasts is "mastectomy." This surgical procedure is primarily performed for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer, though it may also be indicated in certain cases where there are benign conditions or significant genetic risk factors.

A mastectomy can be total, where the entire breast is removed, or partial, which may involve removal of just a portion of the breast tissue. The terminology surrounding this procedure is important in both medical and patient contexts, especially in discussing treatment options and the emotional aspects of breast surgery.

The other terms refer to different surgical procedures: a hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus, a cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder, and carotid endarterectomy is a procedure done to reduce the risk of stroke by correcting stenosis in the common carotid artery. Understanding these definitions highlights why "mastectomy" is the accurate term pertaining to breast surgery.