Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) ASCP Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Estrogen and progesterone markers are primarily associated with breast cancer because these hormones play a crucial role in the development and progression of this type of malignancy. Breast cancer cells often express estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), which can influence their growth and response to treatment. Testing for these hormone receptors helps determine the hormonal responsiveness of the cancer. This is significant for tailoring treatment strategies, such as hormone therapy, which can improve outcomes for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

In contrast, while other types of cancer may involve hormonal influences, estrogen and progesterone are not routinely used as markers for prostate cancer, skin cancer, or lung cancer in prognostic evaluations. Prostate cancer is more commonly evaluated using markers like PSA (prostate-specific antigen), and the hormonal environment in skin and lung cancers does not significantly rely on estrogen and progesterone markers. Thus, the focus on these specific hormone receptors highlights their essential role in understanding and managing breast cancer, making it the correct answer for this question.