Question

A woman presented with a BIRADS-5 breast lesion. Which of the following is a good prognostic factor for this lesion?

• A. BRCA-1 positive
• B. p53 positive
• C. ER positive
• D. High Ki-67

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In the context of breast lesions categorized under BIRADS-5, which is highly suggestive of malignancy, it's crucial to differentiate between various prognostic factors. A good prognostic factor generally indicates a more favorable outcome or response to treatment.

Let's consider the given options:

• BRCA-1 positive: The presence of BRCA-1 mutations is associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer and tends to be linked with poorer outcomes, making it a poor prognostic factor.
• p53 positive: Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are frequently associated with aggressive tumors and poorer prognosis.
• ER positive: Estrogen Receptor (ER) positivity indicates that the cancer cells grow in response to estrogen. ER-positive breast cancers often have a better prognosis as they are more likely to respond to hormone therapies that target estrogen-receptor signaling.
• High Ki-67: Ki-67 is a proliferation marker, and a high level typically suggests rapid tumor growth, correlating with a poorer prognosis.

Therefore, among the options provided, ER positive is considered a good prognostic factor since it implies that the tumor may respond well to hormonal treatments and generally indicates a better overall prognosis.