Breast and endocrine surgery: implant-associated lymphoma: 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.

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General Surgery · Breast and endocrine surgery: implant-associated lymphoma

Sample item

Six years after cosmetic breast augmentation with a textured implant, a woman has a sudden swelling of one breast. Ultrasound shows a large peri-implant fluid collection. Which investigation is crucial?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cytology of the fluid with CD30 immunostaining

A late seroma, usually after one year, around a textured implant may be breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The cells are CD30-positive and ALK-negative, and treatment is removal of the implant and capsule.

Option by option

  • A. Serum CA 15-3 level

    CA 15-3 does not detect this lymphoma.

  • B. Cytology of the fluid with CD30 immunostaining (correct)

    Correct. Fluid cytology with CD30 testing diagnoses the lymphoma.

  • C. MRI to look for implant leak only

    MRI for leak does not provide the diagnosis.

  • D. Observation for a presumed seroma

    A late seroma must not be assumed benign.

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 B, Cytology of the fluid with CD30 immunostaining. A late seroma, usually after one year, around a textured implant may be breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Why is "Serum CA 15-3 level" not the answer?

CA 15-3 does not detect this lymphoma.

Why is "MRI to look for implant leak only" not the answer?

MRI for leak does not provide the diagnosis.

Why is "Observation for a presumed seroma" not the answer?

A late seroma must not be assumed benign.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Breast and endocrine surgery: implant-associated lymphoma in General Surgery. The cells are CD30-positive and ALK-negative, and treatment is removal of the implant and capsule.

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: implant-associated lymphoma?

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.