For a patient with invasive breast carcinoma, which parameter provides the single strongest prognostic information regarding long-term survival?
- A Stage of disease at diagnosis, reflecting size and extent of spread ✓
- B Histological grade of the tumor
- C Mitotic count per 10 high-power fields
- D Degree of lymphocytic infiltration within the tumor
Correct answer: A. Stage of disease at diagnosis, reflecting size and extent of spread
Explanation
Staging, based on tumor size, nodal involvement, and distant metastasis (TNM), correlates with prognosis more strongly than any histological feature and remains the most powerful predictor of outcome across solid tumors. Grade reflects differentiation and mitotic activity and refines prognosis within a given stage but does not supersede it. Mitotic count is only one component of grading, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have prognostic value in specific subtypes such as triple-negative breast cancer but do not outweigh stage.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.