Gynaecological oncology: borderline ovarian tumour: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Gynaecological oncology: borderline ovarian tumour

Sample item

A 26-year-old nulligravida has a unilateral serous borderline tumour confined to one ovary, with no peritoneal implants after surgical staging, and wishes to conceive. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or cystectomy preserving the uterus and other ovary, with surveillance

Serous borderline tumours have low malignant potential and an excellent prognosis, especially at stage I. Fertility-sparing surgery with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or cystectomy and staging is acceptable, with ultrasound surveillance. Chemotherapy has no proven benefit in borderline tumours without invasive implants.

Option by option

  • A. Six cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel

    Chemotherapy is not indicated.

  • B. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or cystectomy preserving the uterus and other ovary, with surveillance (correct)

    Correct. Fertility-sparing surgery is appropriate for stage I borderline tumours.

  • C. Total hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy

    Radical surgery is unnecessary for a young woman wishing fertility.

  • D. Radiotherapy

    Radiotherapy has no role.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or cystectomy preserving the uterus and other ovary, with surveillance. Serous borderline tumours have low malignant potential and an excellent prognosis, especially at stage I.

Why is "Six cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel" not the answer?

Chemotherapy is not indicated.

Why is "Total hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy" not the answer?

Radical surgery is unnecessary for a young woman wishing fertility.

Why is "Radiotherapy" not the answer?

Radiotherapy has no role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological oncology: borderline ovarian tumour in OBG. Fertility-sparing surgery with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or cystectomy and staging is acceptable, with ultrasound surveillance. Chemotherapy has no proven benefit in borderline tumours without invasive implants.

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 Gynaecological oncology: borderline ovarian tumour?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.