Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

Peau d'orange is associated with which condition?

1. Skin rash

2. Dermal lymphatic invasion by breast cancer

3. Infections

4. Local edema

The correct answer is: Dermal lymphatic invasion by breast cancer

Peau d'orange, translated as "orange peel," is a term describing a particular appearance of the skin that resembles the dimpled surface of an orange. This condition is often associated with breast cancer, especially when there is dermal lymphatic invasion. In this scenario, cancer cells invade the lymphatic vessels in the dermis, leading to a blockage that results in skin changes. The inflammatory response and edema caused by this invasion contribute to the characteristic appearance of peau d'orange, marked by pitting or dimpling of the skin. While skin rashes, infections, and local edema can present with various skin changes, they do not specifically result in the distinct appearance of peau d'orange. Instead, those conditions may have different clinical manifestations or represent other underlying issues that do not necessarily correlate with the presence of breast cancer and its systemic effects on the lymphatic system. Thus, the connection of peau d'orange to dermal lymphatic invasion by breast cancer is what makes this association significant and relevant in oncology and pathology.