contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

Definition of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

(KON-truh-LA-teh-rul PROH-fih-LAK-tik ma-STEK-toh-mee)
Surgery to remove the healthy breast in a person who is having or has had the other breast with cancer removed. Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy may be done to reduce the risk of a second breast cancer in people who are at very high risk. Also called CPM.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms