Oncological Surgery Practice Questions

Q: Which one of the following is not included in the treatment of malignant melanoma?

Radiation. **Explanation:** The primary management of malignant melanoma is surgical, as this tumor is characteristically **radioresistant**. While radiation therapy may occasionally be used for palliation (e.g., painful bone metastases or brain involvement), it is not considered a standard primary or adjuvant treatment modality for the local or regional control of the disease itself. * **Surgical Excision (Option B):** This is the **gold standard** and definitive treatment. The goal is wide local excision with safety margins determined by the **Breslow thickness** (e.g., 1 cm margin for tumors 2 mm). * **Immunotherapy (Option D):** This has revolutionized melanoma care. Since melanoma is highly immunogenic, agents like **Checkpoint Inhibitors** (Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab) and CTLA-4 inhibitors (Ipilimumab) are now first-line for advanced or metastatic stages. * **Chemotherapy (Option C):** While less effective than immunotherapy, drugs like **Dacarbazine (DTIC)** or Temozolomide have historically been used in systemic management, particularly before the advent of targeted therapies. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Breslow Depth:** The most important prognostic factor for stage I and II melanoma. * **Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB):** Indicated for tumors ≥0.8 mm thick or those with ulceration. * **Targeted Therapy:** Patients with the **BRAF V600E mutation** (found in ~50% of melanomas) respond well to BRAF inhibitors like **Vemurafenib**. * **Radio-resistance:** Always remember that Melanoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), and Sarcomas are traditionally considered relatively radioresistant.

Q: What is the most common site of rhabdomyosarcoma?

Orbit. **Explanation:** Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents. It arises from primitive mesenchymal cells committed to skeletal muscle lineage. **1. Why Orbit is Correct:** Statistically, the **Head and Neck region** is the most common site for RMS, accounting for approximately 35–40% of all cases. Within the head and neck, the **Orbit** is the single most frequent site. Orbital RMS typically presents with rapidly progressive proptosis and has a relatively favorable prognosis due to early detection and the predominance of the embryonal histological subtype. **2. Why the Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Nasopharynx & Hypopharynx:** While these are "parameningeal" sites within the head and neck, they are less common than the orbit. Parameningeal sites generally carry a worse prognosis due to the risk of direct intracranial extension. * **Extremities:** This is the second most common site overall (approx. 20%). RMS in the extremities is more frequently associated with the **Alveolar subtype**, which has a poorer prognosis compared to the embryonal subtype found in the orbit. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Most common histological subtype:** Embryonal (70%), usually seen in younger children (0–4 years). * **Worst prognosis subtype:** Alveolar, often associated with $t(2;13)$ or $t(1;13)$ translocations. * **Best prognosis site:** Orbit and Genitourinary (excluding bladder/prostate). * **Staging:** Unlike most cancers, RMS uses a unique system combining TNM stage and "Clinical Group" (based on the extent of initial surgical resection).

Q: A 65-year-old male presents with a 5 cm high-grade liposarcoma on the back of his lower thigh. What is the best management?

Wide local excision. **Explanation:** The primary goal in the management of soft tissue sarcomas (STS), such as liposarcoma, is achieving local control while preserving limb function. **1. Why Wide Local Excision (WLE) is correct:** Wide local excision is the **gold standard** treatment for localized soft tissue sarcomas. The objective is to remove the tumor along with a 1–2 cm cuff of healthy surrounding tissue (negative margins). For a 5 cm high-grade tumor on the thigh, limb-salvage surgery (WLE) followed by adjuvant radiotherapy is the preferred approach, as it offers survival rates equivalent to amputation while maintaining a functional limb. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **Amputation:** Historically common, it is now reserved only for cases where the tumor involves major neurovascular structures or if a functional limb cannot be reconstructed. It does not provide a survival advantage over WLE. * **Chemotherapy:** STS are generally poorly responsive to chemotherapy. It is typically reserved for metastatic disease or as a palliative measure, rather than primary treatment for a localized 5 cm mass. * **Radiotherapy:** While often used as an **adjuvant** (post-operative) treatment to reduce local recurrence in high-grade or large (>5 cm) tumors, it is not a substitute for surgical resection. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Staging:** The most important prognostic factor for STS is the **histological grade**, while the most important factor for local recurrence is the **surgical margin**. * **Biopsy:** If a biopsy is required, a **Core Needle Biopsy** is preferred over incisional biopsy. The biopsy tract must be excised during the definitive surgery. * **Limb Salvage:** >90% of extremity sarcomas are now managed with limb-sparing surgery. * **Liposarcoma Subtypes:** Well-differentiated/dedifferentiated, Myxoid/round cell, and Pleomorphic. Myxoid is the most common subtype.

Q: Pelvic exenteration is also known as which operation?

Brunschwig's operation. **Explanation:** **Pelvic Exenteration (Brunschwig’s Operation):** Pelvic exenteration is an ultra-radical surgical procedure involving the en masse removal of all pelvic organs, including the bladder, urethra, rectum, anus, and internal reproductive organs (uterus, vagina, or prostate). It was first described by **Alexander Brunschwig in 1948** for the treatment of advanced or recurrent pelvic malignancies (primarily cervical cancer) that have failed radiotherapy but remain confined to the pelvis. **Analysis of Options:** * **Brunschwig’s Operation (Correct):** Named after the surgeon who pioneered the procedure. It is classified into anterior (removal of bladder/genitalia), posterior (removal of rectum/genitalia), or total exenteration. * **Miles Operation:** Also known as **Abdominoperineal Resection (APR)**. It involves the removal of the distal sigmoid, rectum, and anus; it is used for low rectal cancers but does not involve the removal of the bladder or other pelvic viscera. * **Lloyd’s Operation:** This refers to a specific positioning (Lloyd-Davies position), which is a modification of the Trendelenburg position used for pelvic surgeries to allow simultaneous access to the abdomen and perineum. * **Finch Operation:** This is not a standard term in oncological surgery and is likely a distractor. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Indication:** Primarily for **recurrent cervical cancer** (post-radiation) or locally advanced rectal/vulvar cancers. * **Prerequisite:** There must be no evidence of extra-pelvic metastasis (negative "sidewall" involvement is crucial). * **Reconstruction:** Requires a urinary diversion (e.g., Ileal conduit/Bricker’s loop) and a permanent colostomy. * **Mortality:** Historically high, but now significantly reduced in specialized centers.

Q: Which of the following statements about pulmonary hamartoma is true?

All are true.. **Explanation:** Pulmonary Hamartoma is a benign neoplasm composed of tissues normally found in the lung (cartilage, fat, connective tissue, and respiratory epithelium) but arranged in a disorganized manner. 1. **Most Common Benign Tumor (Option A):** Hamartomas are the most frequent benign lung tumors, accounting for approximately 75% of all benign pulmonary nodules. They are typically discovered incidentally as a solitary pulmonary nodule ("coin lesion"). 2. **Gender Predominance (Option B):** There is a clear male preponderance, with the condition being 2–3 times more common in men than in women, usually presenting in the 5th or 6th decade of life. 3. **Popcorn Calcification (Option C):** This is the classic radiological hallmark. On a Chest X-ray or CT scan, the disorganized growth of cartilage leads to a characteristic "popcorn-like" pattern of calcification. While highly specific, it is seen in only about 10–30% of cases. Since all individual statements are accurate descriptions of the pathology, epidemiology, and radiology of the condition, **Option D (All are true)** is the correct answer. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Location:** Most are peripheral (90%) and asymptomatic; only 10% are endobronchial (which may cause obstruction). * **CT Finding:** The presence of **fat density** (Hounsfield units -40 to -120) within a well-circumscribed nodule is highly suggestive of hamartoma. * **Growth:** They are typically slow-growing (<2mm per year). * **Management:** Observation is usually sufficient if the radiological features are classic; surgical excision (enucleation or wedge resection) is reserved for symptomatic cases or diagnostic uncertainty.

Q: A 60-year-old male was diagnosed with carcinoma of the right lung. CECT chest revealed a 5 x 5 cm tumor in the upper lobe and a 2 x 2 cm tumor nodule in the middle lobe. What is the primary modality of treatment?

Surgery. ### **Explanation** The correct answer is **Surgery (Option C)**. **1. Why Surgery is Correct:** This patient presents with two tumor nodules in different lobes of the same lung (Right Upper Lobe and Right Middle Lobe). According to the **TNM Staging (8th Edition)** for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): * Separate tumor nodules in a **different lobe** of the **ipsilateral** lung are classified as **T4**. * In the absence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy (N2/N3) or distant metastasis (M1), a T4 lesion is categorized as **Stage IIIA**. * Current oncological guidelines state that if multiple nodules are present in the same lung (ipsilateral), they are considered **resectable** provided the patient has adequate pulmonary reserve. The primary treatment is surgical resection (e.g., pneumonectomy or bilobectomy) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Radiotherapy (A):** Used primarily for Stage IIIB/IV or as definitive treatment in patients who are medically unfit for surgery. * **Chemotherapy (B):** While used as an adjuvant (after surgery) or neoadjuvant (before surgery) treatment in Stage IIIA, it is not the *primary* modality for resectable tumors. * **Supportive Treatment (D):** Reserved for Stage IV (metastatic) disease where the goal is palliation, not cure. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **T-Staging for Multiple Nodules:** * Same Lobe: **T3** * Ipsilateral Different Lobe: **T4** * Contralateral Lung: **M1a** * **Resectability vs. Operability:** Resectability depends on the tumor stage (TNM), while operability depends on the patient’s fitness (PFTs/FEV1). * **Standard of Care:** For Stages I, II, and selected IIIA, **Surgery** remains the gold standard for cure.

Q: Which of the following is the best indicator of prognosis of soft tissue sarcoma?

Tumour grade. ***Tumour grade*** - **Tumor grade** quantifies the degree of cellular differentiation, mitotic activity, and necrosis within the tumor, reflecting its aggressive potential. - A **higher tumor grade** is directly associated with a poorer prognosis, increased risk of local recurrence, and distant metastasis in soft tissue sarcomas. *Tumour size* - While larger tumor size (e.g., >5 cm) is generally associated with a worse prognosis, it is primarily a factor in **staging**, not the most critical prognostic indicator. - **Tumor grade** provides more fundamental information about the biological aggressiveness of the tumor cells regardless of their current size. *Nodal metastasis* - **Nodal metastasis** in soft tissue sarcomas is relatively uncommon (less than 5% of cases) compared to carcinomas, and its presence is a significant negative prognostic factor. - However, because it is rare, it doesn't serve as the *primary* indicator for the majority of sarcoma patients, where tumor grade is more universally applicable. *Histological type* - The **histological type** (e.g., liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma) helps classify the sarcoma, but different subtypes can have a wide range of biological behavior. - While certain types may have a generally better or worse prognosis, the **grade** *within* that histological type is a more precise predictor of individual patient outcomes.

Question 1

Which of the following is the most radiosensitive tumor?

Accepted Answer

Ewing's sarcoma

Answer

Hodgkin's disease

Answer

Carcinoma cervix

Answer

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Question 2

What is the treatment of choice for Stage I seminoma?

Accepted Answer

High inguinal orchidectomy and radiotherapy

Answer

High inguinal orchidectomy

Answer

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Answer

Trans-scrotal orchidectomy

Question 3

Which one of the following is not included in the treatment of malignant melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Radiation

Answer

Surgical excision

Answer

Chemotherapy

Answer

Immunotherapy

Question 4

What is the most common site of rhabdomyosarcoma?

Accepted Answer

Orbit

Answer

Nasopharynx

Answer

Extremities

Answer

Hypopharynx

Question 5

A 65-year-old male presents with a 5 cm high-grade liposarcoma on the back of his lower thigh. What is the best management?

Accepted Answer

Wide local excision

Answer

Amputation of the limb at mid-thigh

Answer

Chemotherapy

Answer

Radiotherapy

Question 6

Pelvic exenteration is also known as which operation?

Accepted Answer

Brunschwig's operation

Answer

Miles Operation

Answer

Lloyd's operation

Answer

Finch operation

Question 7

Which of the following statements about pulmonary hamartoma is true?

Accepted Answer

All are true.

Answer

It is the most common benign tumor of lung.

Answer

More common in males.

Answer

Chest X-ray shows "Pop corn calcification".

Question 8

A 60-year-old male was diagnosed with carcinoma of the right lung. CECT chest revealed a 5 x 5 cm tumor in the upper lobe and a 2 x 2 cm tumor nodule in the middle lobe. What is the primary modality of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Surgery

Answer

Radiotherapy

Answer

Chemotherapy

Answer

Supportive treatment

Question 9

Which of the following is the best indicator of prognosis of soft tissue sarcoma?

Accepted Answer

Tumour grade

Answer

Tumour size

Answer

Nodal metastasis

Answer

Histological type

Question 10

Which one of the following statements is correct in case of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip?

Accepted Answer

Lesion often arises in the areas of persistent hyperkeratosis

Answer

Lymph node metastases occur early

Answer

Radiotherapy is considered inappropriate treatment for these lesions

Answer

More than 90 per cent of cases occur on the upper lip

Oncological Surgery — MCQs

Oncological Surgery — MCQs

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