Hesi Breast Cancer Questions and
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
What is the most common type of breast cancer?
✔✔Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer, making up about
70-80% of all cases.
What is the importance of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in breast cancer?
✔✔Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of developing
breast and ovarian cancers.
What does the term "invasive" mean when referring to breast cancer?
✔✔Invasive breast cancer means the cancer has spread from the milk ducts or lobules to
surrounding tissue.
What is the role of the HER2 receptor in breast cancer?
✔✔HER2 is a protein that, when overexpressed, can promote the growth of cancer cells. HER2-
positive breast cancer is more aggressive but can be treated with targeted therapies like
trastuzumab (Herceptin).
1
,Why is breast cancer staging important?
✔✔Staging helps determine the extent of the cancer, guides treatment options, and provides
information on the prognosis.
What is the significance of lymph node involvement in breast cancer?
✔✔Lymph node involvement is a key factor in staging and prognosis. Cancer cells can spread to
nearby lymph nodes, and the number of affected nodes helps determine the stage of cancer.
What is a mastectomy, and when might it be recommended?
✔✔A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast tissue and may be recommended for
patients with invasive breast cancer to prevent the spread of the disease.
How does a breast cancer diagnosis affect fertility?
✔✔Certain treatments for breast cancer, like chemotherapy, can affect fertility by damaging eggs
or affecting hormone production, so fertility preservation options may be discussed prior to
treatment.
What are the common symptoms of breast cancer?
2
, ✔✔Common symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm, changes in the size or shape of
the breast, skin changes, and nipple discharge.
What role does mammography play in the early detection of breast cancer?
✔✔Mammography is a key screening tool that can detect abnormalities or signs of breast cancer
even before symptoms appear, leading to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
What is the significance of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer?
✔✔Estrogen and progesterone receptor status helps determine how much the hormones estrogen
and progesterone influence cancer growth, guiding treatment decisions such as hormone therapy.
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy, and why is it performed?
✔✔A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure to check if the cancer has spread to the first
lymph node(s) draining the tumor, which helps determine if further lymph node removal is
needed.
What is the primary treatment option for early-stage breast cancer?
3
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
What is the most common type of breast cancer?
✔✔Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer, making up about
70-80% of all cases.
What is the importance of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in breast cancer?
✔✔Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of developing
breast and ovarian cancers.
What does the term "invasive" mean when referring to breast cancer?
✔✔Invasive breast cancer means the cancer has spread from the milk ducts or lobules to
surrounding tissue.
What is the role of the HER2 receptor in breast cancer?
✔✔HER2 is a protein that, when overexpressed, can promote the growth of cancer cells. HER2-
positive breast cancer is more aggressive but can be treated with targeted therapies like
trastuzumab (Herceptin).
1
,Why is breast cancer staging important?
✔✔Staging helps determine the extent of the cancer, guides treatment options, and provides
information on the prognosis.
What is the significance of lymph node involvement in breast cancer?
✔✔Lymph node involvement is a key factor in staging and prognosis. Cancer cells can spread to
nearby lymph nodes, and the number of affected nodes helps determine the stage of cancer.
What is a mastectomy, and when might it be recommended?
✔✔A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast tissue and may be recommended for
patients with invasive breast cancer to prevent the spread of the disease.
How does a breast cancer diagnosis affect fertility?
✔✔Certain treatments for breast cancer, like chemotherapy, can affect fertility by damaging eggs
or affecting hormone production, so fertility preservation options may be discussed prior to
treatment.
What are the common symptoms of breast cancer?
2
, ✔✔Common symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm, changes in the size or shape of
the breast, skin changes, and nipple discharge.
What role does mammography play in the early detection of breast cancer?
✔✔Mammography is a key screening tool that can detect abnormalities or signs of breast cancer
even before symptoms appear, leading to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
What is the significance of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer?
✔✔Estrogen and progesterone receptor status helps determine how much the hormones estrogen
and progesterone influence cancer growth, guiding treatment decisions such as hormone therapy.
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy, and why is it performed?
✔✔A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure to check if the cancer has spread to the first
lymph node(s) draining the tumor, which helps determine if further lymph node removal is
needed.
What is the primary treatment option for early-stage breast cancer?
3
