American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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Prepare for the ABIM Certification Exam with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Strengthen understanding with flashcards, hints, and thorough review materials. Ace your test!

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Which stage of breast cancer is indicated by a tumor size of ≤2 cm with negative lymph nodes?

Stage I
Stage IIB
Stage II
Stage III

The correct answer is: Stage I

A tumor size of ≤2 cm with negative lymph nodes corresponds to Stage I breast cancer according to the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) staging system. In this stage, the cancer is localized and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes, making it typically associated with a better prognosis and more limited treatment needs compared to later stages. Stage I is specifically characterized by invasive breast cancer that is found in the breast tissue and is ≤2 cm in greatest dimension, and no regional lymph node involvement. This is important because the absence of lymph node involvement indicates that the cancer has not begun to spread beyond the primary tumor site, which is a critical factor in determining the stage and managing treatment options. Stages IIB, II, and III involve larger tumor sizes and/or the presence of lymph node involvement, reflecting a progression in disease severity and complexity. Hence, they do not meet the criteria outlined for Stage I.