Which procedure involves the removal of an entire breast?

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The procedure that involves the complete removal of an entire breast is a mastectomy. This surgical approach is primarily indicated for the treatment of breast cancer, as it aims to eliminate all breast tissue that may harbor malignant cells, thus reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

Mastectomy can be classified into various types, such as total mastectomy, radical mastectomy, and modified radical mastectomy, but the essential characteristic remains the complete excision of breast tissue.

In contrast, other procedures listed, such as partial mastectomy, involve the removal of only a portion of the breast, often referred to as lumpectomy. Bullectomy pertains to the removal of a bulla, which is a fluid-filled blister, and quadrantectomy involves the removal of a quadrant of the breast, not the entire organ. Therefore, these other surgical options do not fulfill the criteria of removing an entire breast, making mastectomy the clear choice for this question.

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