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Prophylactic surgery

Definition(s)

Surgery to remove tissue that is in danger of becoming cancerous, before cancer has the chance to develop. Surgery to remove the breasts of women at high risk of developing breast cancer is known as prophylactic mastectomy.

Definition from: Office of Rare DiseasesThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Institutes of Health

Related discussion in the Handbook

See also Understanding Medical Terminology.

 
Published: May 20, 2013