Surgical oncology: sentinel lymph node biopsy: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Surgical oncology: sentinel lymph node biopsy

Sample item

In clinically node-negative early breast cancer, what is the principal purpose of sentinel lymph node biopsy?

ARemove the primary breast tumor completelyBReplace histologic diagnosis of the breast lesionCTreat lymphedemaDStage the axilla while avoiding routine full axillary dissection

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Stage the axilla while avoiding routine full axillary dissection

Sentinel node biopsy samples the first draining axillary node(s) to determine nodal status in selected clinically node-negative breast cancers. A negative result can spare many patients the morbidity of full axillary dissection.

Option by option

A. Remove the primary breast tumor completely
The primary tumor requires its own breast-conserving or mastectomy procedure.
B. Replace histologic diagnosis of the breast lesion
Core biopsy or surgical pathology establishes diagnosis of the primary lesion.
C. Treat lymphedema
Axillary surgery can cause rather than treat lymphedema.
D. Stage the axilla while avoiding routine full axillary dissection (correct)
Correct. It provides nodal staging with less morbidity than routine full clearance.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Stage the axilla while avoiding routine full axillary dissection. Sentinel node biopsy samples the first draining axillary node(s) to determine nodal status in selected clinically node-negative breast cancers.

Why is "Remove the primary breast tumor completely" not the answer?

The primary tumor requires its own breast-conserving or mastectomy procedure.

Why is "Replace histologic diagnosis of the breast lesion" not the answer?

Core biopsy or surgical pathology establishes diagnosis of the primary lesion.

Why is "Treat lymphedema" not the answer?

Axillary surgery can cause rather than treat lymphedema.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Surgical oncology: sentinel lymph node biopsy in General Surgery. A negative result can spare many patients the morbidity of full axillary dissection.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Surgical oncology: sentinel lymph node biopsy?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.