Breast Cancer
50 single best answer questions — Domain 6: Conditions, Body system: Breast
Based on the GMC Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) content map — applicable from September 2026
,BREAST Question 1 of 50
Breast Cancer Breast cancer: management
A 55-year-old woman has a 1.5cm, unifocal, oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma in a moderately sized
breast, with no evidence of multifocality or diffuse microcalcification. She wishes to preserve her breast. What is the most appropriate
surgical approach?
A Wide local excision with sentinel lymph node biopsy
B Simple mastectomy
C Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction only
D Axillary clearance alone
E Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy
Select the single best answer.
,BREAST Question 1 of 50 — Answer
Breast Cancer Breast cancer: management
A 55-year-old woman has a 1.5cm, unifocal, oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma in a moderately sized breast, with no evidence of
multifocality or diffuse microcalcification. She wishes to preserve her breast. What is the most appropriate surgical approach?
A Wide local excision with sentinel lymph node biopsy ✓ Correct
B Simple mastectomy
C Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction only
D Axillary clearance alone
E Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy
EXPLANATION
Wide local excision with sentinel lymph node biopsy is appropriate for a small, unifocal tumour in a breast of adequate size relative to the lesion, when the patient
wishes to preserve the breast.
, BREAST Question 2 of 50
Breast Cancer Breast cancer: management
A patient undergoing wide local excision for early breast cancer has no palpable axillary lymphadenopathy. What is the purpose of
performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
A To stage the axilla and guide further axillary treatment while minimising morbidity
B To remove the primary tumour
C To assess for distant metastases
D To determine HER2 status
E To confirm oestrogen receptor status
Select the single best answer.