Head and neck tumours: brachytherapy: 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: brachytherapy

Sample item

A 2 cm well-differentiated carcinoma of the oral tongue is treated with radioactive sources implanted directly in the tumour. What is this form of radiotherapy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Interstitial brachytherapy

Brachytherapy places a radioactive source such as iridium-192 within or next to the tumour, giving a high local dose with sparing of surrounding tissues. It is used for small oral tongue and lip cancers. Complications include soft tissue necrosis and osteoradionecrosis.

Option by option

  • A. Stereotactic radiosurgery

    Radiosurgery uses focused external beams.

  • B. External beam radiotherapy

    External beam uses a machine outside the body.

  • C. Radioiodine therapy

    Radioiodine is used for thyroid cancer.

  • D. Interstitial brachytherapy (correct)

    Correct. Implanted sources give interstitial brachytherapy.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Interstitial brachytherapy. Brachytherapy places a radioactive source such as iridium-192 within or next to the tumour, giving a high local dose with sparing of surrounding tissues.

Why is "Stereotactic radiosurgery" not the answer?

Radiosurgery uses focused external beams.

Why is "External beam radiotherapy" not the answer?

External beam uses a machine outside the body.

Why is "Radioiodine therapy" not the answer?

Radioiodine is used for thyroid cancer.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: brachytherapy in ENT. It is used for small oral tongue and lip cancers. Complications include soft tissue necrosis and osteoradionecrosis.

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 Head and neck tumours: brachytherapy?

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.