Head and neck tumours: sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Head and neck tumours: sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma

Sample item

A 50-year-old has rapid growth of a nasal and ethmoid mass invading the orbit and skull base. Histology shows sheets of undifferentiated cells with high mitotic activity and positive pancytokeratin, but negative for neuroendocrine markers. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a highly aggressive epithelial malignancy of the nasal cavity and ethmoids with rapid growth and early invasion of the skull base and orbit. Treatment is multimodal with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Prognosis is poor.

Option by option

  • A. Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. Rapidly growing undifferentiated tumours with this immunoprofile are SNUC.

  • B. Inverted papilloma

    Inverted papilloma is benign with a risk of malignant transformation.

  • C. Squamous papilloma

    Squamous papilloma is a benign, small lesion.

  • D. Olfactory neuroblastoma

    Olfactory neuroblastoma expresses neuroendocrine markers.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a highly aggressive epithelial malignancy of the nasal cavity and ethmoids with rapid growth and early invasion of the skull base and orbit.

Why is "Inverted papilloma" not the answer?

Inverted papilloma is benign with a risk of malignant transformation.

Why is "Squamous papilloma" not the answer?

Squamous papilloma is a benign, small lesion.

Why is "Olfactory neuroblastoma" not the answer?

Olfactory neuroblastoma expresses neuroendocrine markers.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma in ENT. Treatment is multimodal with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Prognosis is poor.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Head and neck tumours: sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.