Gynaecological oncology: platinum sensitivity: 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: platinum sensitivity

Sample item

A woman with ovarian cancer completed carboplatin-paclitaxel 10 months ago and now has a rising CA-125 with a pelvic recurrence on imaging. How is her disease classified?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Platinum-sensitive relapse, as recurrence occurred more than 6 months after platinum

Platinum-sensitive disease relapses more than 6 months after completing platinum therapy, platinum-resistant disease within 6 months, and platinum-refractory disease progresses during treatment. Platinum-sensitive relapses are retreated with a platinum-based combination and can respond well, and secondary cytoreduction may be considered in selected cases. Maintenance with PARP inhibitors may be used.

Option by option

  • A. Platinum-sensitive relapse, as recurrence occurred more than 6 months after platinum (correct)

    Correct. A 10-month interval defines platinum-sensitive relapse.

  • B. Platinum-resistant relapse

    Resistance requires relapse within 6 months.

  • C. Stage IV by definition

    Relapse does not by itself change the initial stage.

  • D. Platinum-refractory disease

    Refractory disease progresses while on platinum.

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 A, Platinum-sensitive relapse, as recurrence occurred more than 6 months after platinum. Platinum-sensitive disease relapses more than 6 months after completing platinum therapy, platinum-resistant disease within 6 months, and platinum-refractory disease progresses during treatment.

Why is "Platinum-resistant relapse" not the answer?

Resistance requires relapse within 6 months.

Why is "Stage IV by definition" not the answer?

Relapse does not by itself change the initial stage.

Why is "Platinum-refractory disease" not the answer?

Refractory disease progresses while on platinum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological oncology: platinum sensitivity in OBG. Platinum-sensitive relapses are retreated with a platinum-based combination and can respond well, and secondary cytoreduction may be considered in selected cases. Maintenance with PARP inhibitors may be used.

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: platinum sensitivity?

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.