American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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Study for the ABIM Certification Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Get ready to succeed!

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Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage II hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer should begin within how many weeks of surgery?

2 to 4 weeks
4 to 6 weeks
6 to 8 weeks
8 to 10 weeks

The correct answer is: 4 to 6 weeks

Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage II hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer is ideally initiated within 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. This timing is essential to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and to take advantage of the chemotherapy's efficacy while the patient is still in a suitable recovery phase post-surgery. Delaying treatment beyond this window may lead to an increased chance of cancer recurrence, as the removed tumors may give rise to micrometastases that could grow and impact the patient’s prognosis. Starting treatment too early, such as within 2 to 4 weeks, might not allow sufficient recovery time for the patient after surgery, possibly leading to complications and impacting the overall health condition necessary for effective treatment. Conversely, initiating chemotherapy too late, such as 6 to 10 weeks or beyond, can compromise the therapeutic intentions and effectiveness of the regimen. The 4 to 6 weeks timeline strikes a balance between recovery and the urgency of treatment necessary for the best clinical outcomes in this patient population.