Salivary glands: carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma: 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.

Try it

ENT · Salivary glands: carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma

Sample item

A 65-year-old woman who has had a slow-growing parotid lump for 30 years notices rapid enlargement, pain and facial weakness. What is the likely explanation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Malignant transformation to carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma

Long-standing pleomorphic adenomas carry a risk of malignant change, about 1.5 percent in 5 years and 10 percent by 15 years. A sudden growth spurt, pain or facial nerve weakness suggests carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Treatment is radical parotidectomy with neck dissection and radiotherapy.

Option by option

  • A. Simple cyst

    A cyst does not cause nerve weakness.

  • B. Acute parotitis

    Parotitis presents acutely with fever.

  • C. Warthin tumour

    Warthin tumours do not usually cause facial palsy.

  • D. Malignant transformation to carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (correct)

    Correct. Malignant change is likely after many years.

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, Malignant transformation to carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Long-standing pleomorphic adenomas carry a risk of malignant change, about 1.

Why is "Simple cyst" not the answer?

A cyst does not cause nerve weakness.

Why is "Acute parotitis" not the answer?

Parotitis presents acutely with fever.

Why is "Warthin tumour" not the answer?

Warthin tumours do not usually cause facial palsy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Salivary glands: carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in ENT. 5 percent in 5 years and 10 percent by 15 years. A sudden growth spurt, pain or facial nerve weakness suggests carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Treatment is radical parotidectomy with neck dissection and radiotherapy.

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 Salivary glands: carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma?

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.