Pharynx and tonsils: lymphoma of Waldeyer's ring: 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: lymphoma of Waldeyer's ring

Sample item

A 60-year-old has unilateral tonsillar enlargement with a smooth surface and a mass in the neck. Biopsy shows large CD20-positive B cells. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The tonsil is the commonest extranodal site in Waldeyer's ring for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest type. It presents with unilateral smooth tonsillar enlargement. Treatment is R-CHOP chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy.

Option by option

  • A. Burkitt lymphoma

    Burkitt lymphoma is more common in children and endemic regions.

  • B. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (correct)

    Correct. DLBCL is the commonest tonsillar lymphoma.

  • C. Squamous cell carcinoma

    Squamous carcinoma is usually ulcerated.

  • D. Hodgkin lymphoma

    Hodgkin lymphoma shows Reed-Sternberg cells and is nodal.

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 B, Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The tonsil is the commonest extranodal site in Waldeyer's ring for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest type.

Why is "Burkitt lymphoma" not the answer?

Burkitt lymphoma is more common in children and endemic regions.

Why is "Squamous cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Squamous carcinoma is usually ulcerated.

Why is "Hodgkin lymphoma" not the answer?

Hodgkin lymphoma shows Reed-Sternberg cells and is nodal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: lymphoma of Waldeyer's ring in ENT. It presents with unilateral smooth tonsillar enlargement. Treatment is R-CHOP chemotherapy, with or without 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 Pharynx and tonsils: lymphoma of Waldeyer's ring?

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.