ABSITE – BREAST QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
Which of the following is correct in relation to BRCA1/2 mutations and breast cancer? -
CORRECT ANSWER -
The lifetime risk (by age 70) of developing breast cancer for BRCA1 mutation carriers can be as high as
80%.
(Correct. BRCA mutations carry a 50% to 80% lifetime risk of female breast cancer, a 6% lifetime risk o
f male breast cancer (BRCA2), and a 15% to 25% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. BRCA1 mutation carrie
rs are more likely to present with breast cancer at a lower age than BRCA2 mutation carriers (peak inc
idence at 45-49 years and 65-
69 years, respectively). It is important to understand these statistics when considering either genetic t
esting or prevention strategies in a known BRCA mutation carrier.)
Which of the following treatments has been shown to provide relief of symptoms in more than 50% of
patients with cyclical breast pain? - CORRECT ANSWER -Evening primrose oil
The most common histologic type of invasive breast cancer is which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Ductal adenocarcinoma.
Hormone regulation of mammary epithelial development includes: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Initiation of ductal development by estrogen.
Which benign breast disease is associated with an increased risk of malignancy? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Atypical ductal hyperplasia
Which of the following statements regarding steroid hormones and breast cancer is correct?
- The kidney is the principle site of steroid metabolism.
- The rate-
limiting step of steroid hormone biosynthesis involves the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone
.
-
In postmenopausal women, androgens are produced in the adrenal gland, and adipose tissue is the p
rincipal site for aromatization.
- Circulating steroid hormones are primarily lipid-bound and are thus considered "bioavailable." -
CORRECT ANSWER -
, In postmenopausal women, androgens are produced in the adrenal gland, and adipose tissue is the pri
ncipal site for aromatization.
(In postmenopausal women, androgens are produced in the adrenal gland, and adipose tissue is the p
rincipal site for aromatization. Normal adipose tissue uses promoter I.4 of the CYP19 gene to stimulate
aromatase production; however, breast tumors and their surrounding adipose tissue activate promoto
r II of the CYP19 gene, and the result is a greater expression of aromatase. AIs can reduce estrogen pr
oduction by more than 90% and are classified according to the specificity, potency, and reversibility wi
th which they inhibit the aromatase enzyme.)
Which of the following histologic breast changes is most associated with an increased risk of breast ca
ncer?
- Epithelial hyperplasia with atypia.
- Macro- and microcysts.
- Apocrine metaplasia.
- Fibroadenoma.
- Duct ectasia. - CORRECT ANSWER -Epithelial hyperplasia with atypia.
Paget disease of the breast - CORRECT ANSWER -
Paget disease is nearly always detectable on clinical examination as a crusting erosion of the nipple. It
may be less subtle presenting with thickening redness or roughness of the nipple, often associated wit
h itching and burning. It is often associated with subareolar intraductal cancer. Survival is dependent u
pon the stage of the accompanying breast cancer.
A 42-year-old, otherwise healthy woman has a new, 1-
cm in diameter density deep in the central retroareolar region of her right breast on mammography. S
he has no palpable abnormality on physical examination. No lesion is detected on ultrasonography. Th
e best diagnostic option is - CORRECT ANSWER -stereotactic core needle biopsy of the breast
A 32-
year old male presents to clinic due to enlarging left breast. He states that he has noticed this "swellin
g" for the past year but has only sought medical care now because it has becoming noticeably larger t
han his right breast. He denies pain or nipple discharge. He denies family history of breast cancer in ei
ther women or men in his immediate or distant family and steroid use. On examination, the patient is
very muscular with a smooth right breast, devoid of masses. His left breast is noted to have rubbery
mass extending concentrically from the nipple. His testicular exam is normal. What is the appropriate
management of this patient? - CORRECT ANSWER -Mammogram and ultrasound
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
Which of the following is correct in relation to BRCA1/2 mutations and breast cancer? -
CORRECT ANSWER -
The lifetime risk (by age 70) of developing breast cancer for BRCA1 mutation carriers can be as high as
80%.
(Correct. BRCA mutations carry a 50% to 80% lifetime risk of female breast cancer, a 6% lifetime risk o
f male breast cancer (BRCA2), and a 15% to 25% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. BRCA1 mutation carrie
rs are more likely to present with breast cancer at a lower age than BRCA2 mutation carriers (peak inc
idence at 45-49 years and 65-
69 years, respectively). It is important to understand these statistics when considering either genetic t
esting or prevention strategies in a known BRCA mutation carrier.)
Which of the following treatments has been shown to provide relief of symptoms in more than 50% of
patients with cyclical breast pain? - CORRECT ANSWER -Evening primrose oil
The most common histologic type of invasive breast cancer is which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Ductal adenocarcinoma.
Hormone regulation of mammary epithelial development includes: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Initiation of ductal development by estrogen.
Which benign breast disease is associated with an increased risk of malignancy? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Atypical ductal hyperplasia
Which of the following statements regarding steroid hormones and breast cancer is correct?
- The kidney is the principle site of steroid metabolism.
- The rate-
limiting step of steroid hormone biosynthesis involves the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone
.
-
In postmenopausal women, androgens are produced in the adrenal gland, and adipose tissue is the p
rincipal site for aromatization.
- Circulating steroid hormones are primarily lipid-bound and are thus considered "bioavailable." -
CORRECT ANSWER -
, In postmenopausal women, androgens are produced in the adrenal gland, and adipose tissue is the pri
ncipal site for aromatization.
(In postmenopausal women, androgens are produced in the adrenal gland, and adipose tissue is the p
rincipal site for aromatization. Normal adipose tissue uses promoter I.4 of the CYP19 gene to stimulate
aromatase production; however, breast tumors and their surrounding adipose tissue activate promoto
r II of the CYP19 gene, and the result is a greater expression of aromatase. AIs can reduce estrogen pr
oduction by more than 90% and are classified according to the specificity, potency, and reversibility wi
th which they inhibit the aromatase enzyme.)
Which of the following histologic breast changes is most associated with an increased risk of breast ca
ncer?
- Epithelial hyperplasia with atypia.
- Macro- and microcysts.
- Apocrine metaplasia.
- Fibroadenoma.
- Duct ectasia. - CORRECT ANSWER -Epithelial hyperplasia with atypia.
Paget disease of the breast - CORRECT ANSWER -
Paget disease is nearly always detectable on clinical examination as a crusting erosion of the nipple. It
may be less subtle presenting with thickening redness or roughness of the nipple, often associated wit
h itching and burning. It is often associated with subareolar intraductal cancer. Survival is dependent u
pon the stage of the accompanying breast cancer.
A 42-year-old, otherwise healthy woman has a new, 1-
cm in diameter density deep in the central retroareolar region of her right breast on mammography. S
he has no palpable abnormality on physical examination. No lesion is detected on ultrasonography. Th
e best diagnostic option is - CORRECT ANSWER -stereotactic core needle biopsy of the breast
A 32-
year old male presents to clinic due to enlarging left breast. He states that he has noticed this "swellin
g" for the past year but has only sought medical care now because it has becoming noticeably larger t
han his right breast. He denies pain or nipple discharge. He denies family history of breast cancer in ei
ther women or men in his immediate or distant family and steroid use. On examination, the patient is
very muscular with a smooth right breast, devoid of masses. His left breast is noted to have rubbery
mass extending concentrically from the nipple. His testicular exam is normal. What is the appropriate
management of this patient? - CORRECT ANSWER -Mammogram and ultrasound
