AOCNP Surgical Oncology and Perioperative Care

Question 1

Neoadjuvant therapy in surgical oncology refers to treatment given:

Accepted Answer

Before surgery to downstage tumors and improve resectability

Answer

After surgery to eliminate residual disease

Answer

During surgery as intraoperative chemotherapy

Answer

Only to patients who are not surgical candidates

Question 2

A pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer is most significant because it is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Improved disease-free and overall survival

Answer

No further need for adjuvant therapy

Answer

Eligibility for less extensive surgery only

Answer

Automatic classification as stage I disease

Question 3

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is performed to assess regional lymph node status while avoiding which complication of full axillary lymph node dissection?

Accepted Answer

Lymphedema

Answer

Wound infection

Answer

Hematoma formation

Answer

Seroma formation exclusively

Question 4

R0 resection in surgical oncology means:

Accepted Answer

Complete resection with negative (clear) surgical margins

Answer

Residual microscopic disease at the margins

Answer

Palliative debulking with gross disease remaining

Answer

Resection with intraoperative frozen section only

Question 5

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in oncologic surgery are designed to achieve which primary goal?

Accepted Answer

Reduce surgical stress response, accelerate recovery, and decrease complications

Answer

Eliminate the need for postoperative pain medication

Answer

Avoid nutritional support in the perioperative period

Answer

Mandate 5-day hospital stays after major resections

Question 6

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is most commonly combined with cytoreductive surgery for which cancer type?

Accepted Answer

Peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer or appendiceal malignancy

Answer

Metastatic breast cancer

Answer

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Answer

Thoracic mesothelioma