Neoplasia Practice Questions

Q: What is the term for an overgrowth of a skin structure at a localized region?

Hamartoma. ### Explanation **Correct Option: A. Hamartoma** A **Hamartoma** is a benign, non-neoplastic growth consisting of an abnormal mixture of cells and tissues normally found in the specific area where the growth occurs. It represents a developmental malformation rather than a true neoplasm. In the context of skin or neuroanatomy (e.g., hypothalamic hamartomas), it is an overgrowth of mature native tissue that grows at the same rate as the surrounding structures but in a disorganized architectural pattern. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **B. Malignant tumor:** These are characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation, anaplasia, invasiveness, and the potential for metastasis. Unlike hamartomas, they consist of atypical cells that do not respect anatomical boundaries. * **C. Choristoma:** Often confused with hamartoma, a choristoma (or heterotopia) is a mass of histologically normal tissue present in an **abnormal anatomical location** (e.g., pancreatic tissue found in the stomach wall). * **D. Polyp:** This is a macroscopic clinical term describing any projection or growth from a mucosal surface (like the colon or nasal cavity). It is a morphological description, not a histological diagnosis. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Lisch Nodules:** Hamartomas of the iris, pathognomonic for **Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)**. * **Hypothalamic Hamartoma:** Classically associated with **gelastic seizures** (inappropriate laughing) and precocious puberty. * **Cowden Syndrome:** A genetic condition characterized by multiple hamartomas (PTEN mutation). * **Key Distinction:** Hamartoma = Right tissue, wrong configuration. Choristoma = Right tissue, wrong place.

Q: In which of the following conditions is spontaneous regression not observed?

Osteosarcoma. **Explanation:** Spontaneous regression refers to the partial or complete disappearance of a malignant tumor in the absence of any treatment or in the presence of therapy considered inadequate to exert a significant influence on neoplastic growth. This phenomenon is rare but well-documented in specific immunogenic tumors. **Why Osteosarcoma is the Correct Answer:** Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive primary bone malignancy characterized by the production of osteoid. Unlike the other options, it does **not** exhibit spontaneous regression. Its management strictly requires a combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical surgical resection. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Neuroblastoma:** This is the classic example of spontaneous regression (especially Stage 4S in infants). It can undergo spontaneous involution or maturation into a benign ganglioneuroma via cellular differentiation. * **Malignant Melanoma:** Known for being highly immunogenic. Spontaneous regression occurs in about 0.2–1% of cases, often mediated by a robust T-cell immune response (clinically seen as "halo nevi" or depigmented patches). * **Choriocarcinoma:** This gestational trophoblastic neoplasm can occasionally regress spontaneously, likely due to the unique maternal immune response against paternal antigens present in the tumor cells. * **Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC):** Though not listed, it is another classic example where the primary tumor or pulmonary metastases may regress after nephrectomy. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Most common tumor to undergo spontaneous regression:** Neuroblastoma. * **Mechanism:** Most spontaneous regressions are attributed to immune system activation, hormonal changes, or cellular differentiation. * **Other tumors showing regression:** Retinoblastoma, Lymphomas, and Bladder cancer. * **Key Fact:** Osteosarcoma follows the "Skip Metastasis" pattern and most commonly spreads to the lungs (cannonball metastases).

Question 1

Blood-borne metastasis is unusual in which of the following neoplasms?

Accepted Answer

Medullary carcinoma breast

Answer

Osteosarcoma

Answer

Choriocarcinoma

Answer

Renal cell carcinoma

Question 2

What is the term for an overgrowth of a skin structure at a localized region?

Accepted Answer

Hamartoma

Answer

Malignant tumor

Answer

Choristoma

Answer

Polyp

Question 3

Presence of epithelial pearls in the spinous layer of epithelium is characteristic of which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Carcinoma

Answer

Pre-cancer

Answer

Dysplasia

Answer

Metaplasia

Question 4

Which of the following carcinomas most frequently metastasizes to the brain?

Accepted Answer

Small cell carcinoma of the lung

Answer

Prostate cancer

Answer

Rectal carcinoma

Answer

Endometrial cancer

Question 5

In which of the following conditions is spontaneous regression not observed?

Accepted Answer

Osteosarcoma

Answer

Malignant melanoma

Answer

Neuroblastoma

Answer

Choriocarcinoma

Question 6

A 32-year-old woman is found to have an adnexal mass during a pelvic examination. Resection reveals a malignant ovarian tumor. Which other organ or tissue is associated with cancers linked to the tumor suppressor gene implicated in this ovarian tumor?

Accepted Answer

Breast

Answer

Colon

Answer

Pancreas

Answer

Peripheral nerve

Question 7

Tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 prevent tumorigenesis by acting as what?

Accepted Answer

DNA repair factors

Answer

Inhibitors of mitogenic signaling pathways

Answer

Inhibitors of cell cycle progression

Answer

Inhibitors of invasion and metastasis

Question 8

Which of the following statements regarding oncogenesis is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

p53 is a tumor suppressor gene, and mutations in it are common in malignancy, but it is not an oncogene.

Answer

Topoisomerase II can cause breaks in DNA strands.

Answer

At the G2-M phase checkpoint, there is a loss of inhibitors that control cell-cycle progression.

Answer

A decrease in telomerase activity can contribute to anti-tumor effects.

Question 9

Spontaneous regression of malignant tumor is a feature of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Neuroblastoma

Answer

Renal cell carcinoma

Answer

Burkitt's lymphoma

Answer

Wilm's tumour

Question 10

Which of the following is a DNA repair defect?

Accepted Answer

Xeroderma pigmentosum

Answer

Retinoblastoma

Answer

Neurofibromatosis

Answer

MEN-I

Neoplasia — MCQs

Neoplasia — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?