Breast and endocrine surgery: cyclical mastalgia: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

General Surgery · Breast and endocrine surgery: cyclical mastalgia

Sample item

A 32-year-old woman has bilateral breast pain and lumpiness that worsen before menstruation. Examination, ultrasound and mammography are normal. What is the most appropriate first-line management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reassurance, a well-fitting bra and simple analgesia

Cyclical mastalgia with normal triple assessment is benign, hormone-related and usually self-limiting. Reassurance, a supportive bra, simple analgesia or topical NSAIDs are first line. Hormonal agents such as tamoxifen or danazol are reserved for severe, refractory pain because of side effects.

Option by option

  • A. Long-term tamoxifen

    Tamoxifen is used off-label only for severe refractory cases.

  • B. Bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy

    Surgery is not indicated for benign cyclical pain.

  • C. Reassurance, a well-fitting bra and simple analgesia (correct)

    Correct. Conservative measures are first-line once cancer is excluded.

  • D. Danazol

    Danazol is effective but reserved for severe pain because of androgenic side effects.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Reassurance, a well-fitting bra and simple analgesia. Cyclical mastalgia with normal triple assessment is benign, hormone-related and usually self-limiting.

Why is "Long-term tamoxifen" not the answer?

Tamoxifen is used off-label only for severe refractory cases.

Why is "Bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy" not the answer?

Surgery is not indicated for benign cyclical pain.

Why is "Danazol" not the answer?

Danazol is effective but reserved for severe pain because of androgenic side effects.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Breast and endocrine surgery: cyclical mastalgia in General Surgery. Reassurance, a supportive bra, simple analgesia or topical NSAIDs are first line. Hormonal agents such as tamoxifen or danazol are reserved for severe, refractory pain because of side effects.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Breast and endocrine surgery: cyclical mastalgia?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.