A 38-year-old BRCA1 mutation carrier opts for risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. Which breast cancer subtype is she MOST likely to develop if a breast cancer were to occur?
- A Luminal A (ER+/PR+/HER2−, low Ki67)
- B Triple-negative (ER−/PR−/HER2−) with basal-like features ✓
- C Luminal B HER2-positive
- D HER2-enriched (ER−/PR−/HER2+)
Correct answer: B. Triple-negative (ER−/PR−/HER2−) with basal-like features
Explanation
BRCA1-associated breast cancers are predominantly triple-negative with a basal-like phenotype (CK5/6+, EGFR+), reflecting the role of BRCA1 in homologous recombination repair. In contrast, BRCA2 mutations are more commonly associated with luminal subtypes. PARP inhibitors exploit synthetic lethality in BRCA-deficient tumours and are approved in the metastatic BRCA1/2 setting.
Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.