In the pathological complete response (pCR) assessment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, the ypT0 ypN0 status is MOST prognostically significant in which subtype?

• A Luminal A (ER+, PR+, HER2-, low Ki-67)
• B Luminal B (ER+, HER2+)
• C Lobular carcinoma regardless of receptor status
• D Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) ✓

Explanation

Achieving pCR (ypT0/is ypN0) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has the strongest prognostic significance in triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing subtypes. In TNBC, pCR is associated with excellent long-term outcome, whereas residual disease predicts poor prognosis and justifies escalation to capecitabine (CREATE-X trial). Luminal A tumours rarely achieve pCR and their prognosis is driven by endocrine receptor expression rather than response to chemotherapy.

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.