Oral pathology: adenoid cystic carcinoma: practice question

A Dentistry 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.

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Dentistry · Oral pathology: adenoid cystic carcinoma

Sample item

A palatal salivary tumour shows cribriform Swiss cheese growth. The patient has facial pain, and later lung metastases appear years after surgery. Which feature is most characteristic of this tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Perineural invasion

Adenoid cystic carcinoma tends to invade nerves and spreads late to the lung with slow clinical progress. Local recurrence is common because of the perineural spread.

Option by option

  • A. Rapid nodal spread

    Nodal spread is uncommon; haematogenous spread to lung is typical.

  • B. Origin from Warthin cells

    Warthin tumour is a different benign lesion.

  • C. Perineural invasion (correct)

    Correct. Perineural invasion explains the pain and local recurrence.

  • D. Encapsulated benign behaviour

    It is not encapsulated and is a malignant tumour.

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.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Perineural invasion. Adenoid cystic carcinoma tends to invade nerves and spreads late to the lung with slow clinical progress.

Why is "Rapid nodal spread" not the answer?

Nodal spread is uncommon; haematogenous spread to lung is typical.

Why is "Origin from Warthin cells" not the answer?

Warthin tumour is a different benign lesion.

Why is "Encapsulated benign behaviour" not the answer?

It is not encapsulated and is a malignant tumour.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: adenoid cystic carcinoma in Dentistry. Local recurrence is common because of the perineural spread.

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 Oral pathology: adenoid cystic carcinoma?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.