Oncology Practice Questions

Q: All are associated with Wilms tumor except one:

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. ***Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita*** - This condition involves **multiple joint contractures** at birth and is not typically associated with an increased risk of **Wilms tumor**. Its pathogenesis differs significantly from the genetic mutations linked to Wilms tumor. - While other congenital anomalies can be linked to Wilms tumor, arthrogryposis is not one of the established **syndromic associations**. *Hemihypertrophy* - **Hemihypertrophy**, an overgrowth of one side of the body, is a well-known risk factor for **Wilms tumor**, often seen in syndromes like Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. - It suggests underlying genetic aberrations that can predispose to neoplastic growth, including renal tumors. *Aniridia* - **Aniridia**, the complete or partial absence of the iris, is strongly associated with **WAGR syndrome** (Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary anomalies, and intellectual disability), increasing the risk of Wilms tumor. - This association is due to deletions or mutations in the **WT1 gene**, located on chromosome 11p13. *Male pseudohermaphrodite* - **Male pseudohermaphroditism**, particularly those involving abnormal genitourinary development (such as Denys-Drash syndrome or Frasier syndrome), is linked to mutations in the **WT1 gene** and carries a significant risk of developing **Wilms tumor**. - These conditions often present with renal abnormalities and are part of the spectrum of disorders associated with Wilms tumor.

Q: True statement regarding brain tumors in children is:

Mostly is infratentorial. ***Mostly is infratentorial*** - Brain tumors in children are **predominantly infratentorial**, meaning they occur in the cerebellum, brainstem, and fourth ventricle. - This anatomical distribution accounts for many common pediatric brain tumors like **medulloblastoma** and **pilocytic astrocytoma**. *Is the most common tumor in children* - **Leukemia** is the most common cancer in children, not brain tumors. - Brain tumors are the **second most common** childhood cancer, after leukemia. *Hydrocephalus is rare* - **Hydrocephalus is common** in pediatric brain tumors, especially those in the posterior fossa, due to obstruction of CSF flow. - Tumors located near the **ventricles** or in the posterior fossa frequently block CSF pathways, leading to hydrocephalus and increased intracranial pressure. *Papilledema is rare* - **Papilledema is common** in children with brain tumors, as it is a sign of increased intracranial pressure. - The elevated pressure within the cranium due to tumor growth or hydrocephalus can compress the **optic nerve sheath**, impairing axoplasmic flow and causing optic disc swelling.

Q: Commonest presentation of Wilms' tumour is -

Abdominal lump. ***Abdominal lump*** - A **palpable abdominal mass** is the most common presenting sign, often discovered incidentally by a parent during bathing or dressing. - This mass is typically **firm, smooth, and does not cross the midline**. *Hematuria* - While **hematuria** can occur in Wilms' tumor, it is a less frequent presentation compared to an abdominal lump. - It usually indicates involvement of the **renal collecting system** or rupture of the tumor. *Hydronephrosis* - **Hydronephrosis** is the swelling of a kidney due to a build-up of urine and is not a direct presentation of Wilms' tumor itself, though it can occasionally be a secondary radiological finding if the tumor obstructs urinary outflow. - It is more commonly associated with **ureteral obstruction** from other causes. *Pain in abdomen.* - Abdominal pain may occur, especially if the tumor is large, but it is typically a **secondary symptom** and not the primary presenting complaint. - Pain is often due to rapid tumor growth, hemorrhage within the tumor, or compression of surrounding structures.

Q: All of the following are true about neuroblastoma except -

Cafe au lait spots. ***Cafe au lait spots*** - **Neuroblastoma** is a **neuroendocrine tumor** derived from **neural crest cells**, often leading to symptoms related to compression or metastasis, but not typically presenting with **cafe au lait spots**. - **Cafe au lait spots** are characteristic of **neurofibromatosis type 1**, a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the **neurofibromin gene (NF1)**, which is distinct from neuroblastoma. *Opsomyoclonus* - **Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS)**, an **autoimmune paraneoplastic syndrome**, is a known presentation of **neuroblastoma**, especially in younger children. - This syndrome is characterized by **rapid, irregular eye movements (opsoclonus)** and **sudden, jerky muscle contractions (myoclonus)**. *Bone pain* - **Neuroblastoma** commonly **metastasizes to bone** and **bone marrow**, particularly in advanced stages, causing significant **bone pain**. - The presence of bone pain often indicates widespread disease and can be a presenting symptom. *Diarrhea* - **Neuroblastoma** can secrete **vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)**, leading to **severe, watery diarrhea**. - This syndrome is known as **VIPoma syndrome** and is a potential paraneoplastic manifestation of neuroblastoma, particularly abdominal tumors.

Q: A 2 year old child with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is brought to you with history of an abdominal mass in the right hypochondrium. It was also associated with thrombocytosis and anemia. A CT showed enlarged pulmonary hilar nodes. What is the most probable diagnosis? Note that viral markers are -ve in this patient.

Hepatoblastoma. ***Hepatoblastoma*** - The presence of an abdominal mass in the right hypochondrium in a 2-year-old child with **Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome** strongly points to hepatoblastoma. This genetic syndrome is a known risk factor, and **thrombocytosis** and **anemia** are common paraneoplastic manifestations. - While pulmonary hilar nodes are not typical for hepatoblastoma metastasis, this option best fits the constellation of symptoms including syndrome association, age, and hematological abnormalities when considering liver tumors in children. *Fibrolamellar Ca* - **Fibrolamellar carcinoma** is a rare variant of hepatocellular carcinoma that typically affects **adolescents and young adults**, not children as young as 2 years old. - It is not typically associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and the presentation of thrombocytosis and anemia is less characteristic. *Hepatic hemangioma* - **Hepatic hemangiomas** are benign vascular tumors and are often asymptomatic or cause symptoms due to their mass effect, such as hepatomegaly. - They are not associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, nor do they typically cause thrombocytosis or anemia, or enlarged hilar nodes. *Hepatocellular Ca* - **Hepatocellular carcinoma** in children is generally associated with **chronic liver disease** or **viral hepatitis**, which is excluded by negative viral markers. - While possible in older children, it is less common than hepatoblastoma in a 2-year-old, especially with the specific presentation of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and the hematological abnormalities.

Q: Most common tumor in children is -

Leukemia. ***Leukemia*** - **Leukemia** is the most common form of cancer in children, accounting for approximately 30% of all childhood cancers. - Among leukemias, **acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)** is the most prevalent type in pediatric patients. *Wilm's tumor* - **Wilms' tumor** (nephroblastoma) is a kidney cancer and is one of the most common solid tumors in children. - While significant, it is less common overall than leukemia. *Lymphoma* - **Lymphoma** is a cancer of the lymphatic system and is the third most common type of cancer in children. - It includes Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. *Neuroblastoma* - **Neuroblastoma** is a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body, often in the adrenal glands. - It is one of the most common cancers in infants but is less common overall in the pediatric population compared to leukemia.

Q: Most common urinary bladder tumour in childhood is?

Rhabdomyosarcoma. ***Rhabdomyosarcoma*** - **Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)** is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents, and the **most common primary malignant tumor of the urinary bladder in childhood**. - It arises from embryonic mesenchymal cells that have the potential to differentiate into **striated muscle cells**, which are normally not found in the adult bladder. *Squamous cell carcinoma* - **Squamous cell carcinoma** of the bladder is typically associated with chronic irritation, such as from **schistosomiasis** or long-term catheter use, and is rare in childhood. - It accounts for a very **small percentage of bladder cancers globally** and is generally seen in older populations. *Transitional cell carcinoma* - **Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)**, also known as urothelial carcinoma, is the **most common type of bladder cancer in adults** but is exceedingly rare in children. - When it does occur in children, it often presents as a **low-grade papillary tumor** with a good prognosis, distinct from the aggressive nature of RMS. *Haemangioma* - **Haemangiomas** are benign vascular tumors that can occur in various locations, including the bladder. - While they can cause symptoms like haematuria, they are **benign and not malignant tumors**, and thus not considered the "most common urinary bladder tumour" in the context of malignancies in childhood.

Q: A child diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is under chemotherapy. Which of the following is a BAD prognostic sign of ALL?

Age above 10 years. ***Age above 10 years*** - **Age older than 10 years** is considered a **poor prognostic indicator** in children with ALL. - This age group is associated with a higher likelihood of refractory disease and relapse. *Caucasians* - **Caucasian ethnicity** is generally associated with a **better prognosis** in ALL compared to some other ethnic groups. - While ethnic disparities exist, being Caucasian is not considered a bad prognostic sign. *WBC count less than 50000* - A **WBC count less than 50,000/µL** at diagnosis is typically considered a **favorable prognostic indicator** in ALL. - **Hyperleukocytosis** (WBC count **greater than 50,000/µL**) at presentation is associated with a higher tumor burden and worse outcome. *Females* - **Female gender** is generally associated with a **better prognosis** in ALL compared to males. - While overall survival rates are high for both sexes, male gender is often considered a slightly less favorable prognostic factor.

Q: Alpha-fetoprotein is elevated in what percentage of children with hepatoblastoma?

90%. ***90%*** - Elevated **alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)** is a hallmark of hepatoblastoma, found in approximately **90%** of children with the disease. - AFP levels are used for both **diagnosis** and monitoring treatment response in hepatoblastoma. *10%* - This percentage is too low; a vast majority of children with hepatoblastoma present with significantly elevated **AFP**. - Only a very small minority of hepatoblastoma cases (around 10%) are **AFP-negative**. *100%* - While AFP elevation is very common, it is **not universally present** in all cases of hepatoblastoma. - Approximately **10%** of hepatoblastoma cases do not show elevated AFP. *50%* - This percentage is significantly **underestimated** as AFP elevation is a dominant feature in most hepatoblastoma presentations. - Missing the diagnosis in half the cases based on AFP alone would be a **diagnostic challenge**.

Q: Most common cancer in children less than 10 years:

Leukemia. ***Leukemia*** - Leukemia, particularly **acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)**, is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in children under 10 years of age. - It arises from the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow, interfering with the production of normal blood cells. *Neuroblastoma* - While a common solid tumor in childhood, particularly in infants, it accounts for a smaller percentage of all childhood cancers compared to leukemia. - Originates from **neuroblasts** (immature nerve cells), typically in the adrenal glands or sympathetic nervous system. *Wilm's tumor* - This is a common **kidney cancer** in children, usually affecting those aged 3-4 years. - Although significant, its incidence is lower than that of leukemia. *Brain tumor* - Brain and other central nervous system tumors are the **second most common type of cancer in children**, after leukemia. - They encompass various types and can occur at any age during childhood.

Question 1

All are associated with Wilms tumor except one:

Accepted Answer

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Answer

Hemihypertrophy

Answer

Aniridia

Answer

Male pseudohermaphrodite

Question 2

True statement regarding brain tumors in children is:

Accepted Answer

Mostly is infratentorial

Answer

Is the most common tumor in children

Answer

Hydrocephalus is rare

Answer

Papilledema is rare

Question 3

Commonest presentation of Wilms' tumour is -

Accepted Answer

Abdominal lump

Answer

Hematuria

Answer

Hydronephrosis

Answer

Pain in abdomen

Question 4

All of the following are true about neuroblastoma except -

Accepted Answer

Cafe au lait spots

Answer

Opsoclonus

Answer

Bone pain

Answer

Diarrhea

Question 5

A 2 year old child with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is brought to you with history of an abdominal mass in the right hypochondrium. It was also associated with thrombocytosis and anemia. A CT showed enlarged pulmonary hilar nodes. What is the most probable diagnosis? Note that viral markers are -ve in this patient.

Accepted Answer

Hepatoblastoma

Answer

Fibrolamellar Ca

Answer

Hepatic hemangioma

Answer

Hepatocellular Ca

Question 6

Most common tumor in children is -

Accepted Answer

Leukemia

Answer

Wilms tumor

Answer

Lymphoma

Answer

Neuroblastoma

Question 7

Most common urinary bladder tumour in childhood is?

Accepted Answer

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer

Transitional cell carcinoma

Answer

Haemangioma

Question 8

A child diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is under chemotherapy. Which of the following is a BAD prognostic sign of ALL?

Accepted Answer

Age above 10 years

Answer

Caucasians

Answer

WBC count less than 50000

Answer

Females

Question 9

Alpha-fetoprotein is elevated in what percentage of children with hepatoblastoma?

Accepted Answer

90%

Answer

10%

Answer

100%

Answer

50%

Question 10

Most common cancer in children less than 10 years:

Accepted Answer

Leukemia

Answer

Neuroblastoma

Answer

Wilm's tumor

Answer

Brain tumor

Oncology — MCQs

Oncology — MCQs

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