Urology: prostate cancer bone metastases: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

General Surgery · Urology: prostate cancer bone metastases

Sample item

A man with prostate cancer has back pain and raised alkaline phosphatase. Which statement describes the likely metastatic pattern?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Osteoblastic vertebral lesions spreading via Batson venous plexus

Prostate cancer commonly metastasises to the axial skeleton via the valveless Batson vertebral venous plexus, producing sclerotic lesions with raised alkaline phosphatase. Spinal cord compression is an oncological emergency needing steroids and radiotherapy.

Option by option

  • A. Osteoblastic vertebral lesions spreading via Batson venous plexus (correct)

    Correct. Osteoblastic lesions via Batson plexus are typical.

  • B. Brain metastases first

    Brain metastases are uncommon.

  • C. Purely lytic skull lesions

    Lytic lesions are more typical of renal and thyroid metastases.

  • D. Isolated pulmonary metastases only

    Bone is the commonest site.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Osteoblastic vertebral lesions spreading via Batson venous plexus. Prostate cancer commonly metastasises to the axial skeleton via the valveless Batson vertebral venous plexus, producing sclerotic lesions with raised alkaline phosphatase.

Why is "Brain metastases first" not the answer?

Brain metastases are uncommon.

Why is "Purely lytic skull lesions" not the answer?

Lytic lesions are more typical of renal and thyroid metastases.

Why is "Isolated pulmonary metastases only" not the answer?

Bone is the commonest site.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Urology: prostate cancer bone metastases in General Surgery. Spinal cord compression is an oncological emergency needing steroids and radiotherapy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Urology: prostate cancer bone metastases?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.