PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What type of pre-malignant breast cancer is characterized by atypical ductal hyperplasia?

1. Ductal carcinoma in situ

2. Lobular hyperplasia

3. Lobular carcinoma in situ

4. Invasive lobular carcinoma

The correct answer is: Lobular hyperplasia

Atypical ductal hyperplasia is a pre-malignant condition that indicates a higher risk for developing breast cancer, specifically associated with the ductal system of the breast. The correct choice related to atypical ductal hyperplasia is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This condition occurs when there is proliferation of atypical cells in the ducts of the breast, which can be a precursor to invasive breast cancer. The presence of atypical ductal hyperplasia suggests that while the cells are not yet cancerous, they exhibit abnormal features that warrant close monitoring as they can evolve into more serious forms of breast cancer. This distinguishes atypical ductal hyperplasia from lobular hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ, which involve the lobular structures of the breast rather than the ducts. Invasive lobular carcinoma, on the other hand, refers to a fully developed form of breast cancer that has spread beyond the lobules into surrounding tissues, which is not a pre-malignant state. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in breast pathology and the management of patients with varying degrees of risk for breast cancer.