Gynaecological oncology: simple cyst in postmenopausal woman: 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.

Try it

OBG · Gynaecological oncology: simple cyst in postmenopausal woman

Sample item

A 60-year-old woman has an incidental 3 cm unilocular anechoic ovarian cyst with no solid components or flow, and a normal CA-125. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Conservative follow-up with repeat ultrasound

Simple unilocular cysts under 5 cm in postmenopausal women with normal CA-125 have a very low risk of malignancy. Conservative management with repeat ultrasound, such as at 4 to 6 months, is appropriate, and many resolve. Complex features, growth, symptoms or raised markers prompt surgical evaluation.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate bilateral oophorectomy

    Surgery is not necessary for a simple small cyst with normal CA-125.

  • B. Cystectomy only after 5 years

    Planned surgery at 5 years is not a sensible approach.

  • C. Conservative follow-up with repeat ultrasound (correct)

    Correct. Low-risk simple cysts are followed with ultrasound.

  • D. Chemotherapy

    There is no evidence of cancer to treat.

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 C, Conservative follow-up with repeat ultrasound. Simple unilocular cysts under 5 cm in postmenopausal women with normal CA-125 have a very low risk of malignancy.

Why is "Immediate bilateral oophorectomy" not the answer?

Surgery is not necessary for a simple small cyst with normal CA-125.

Why is "Cystectomy only after 5 years" not the answer?

Planned surgery at 5 years is not a sensible approach.

Why is "Chemotherapy" not the answer?

There is no evidence of cancer to treat.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological oncology: simple cyst in postmenopausal woman in OBG. Conservative management with repeat ultrasound, such as at 4 to 6 months, is appropriate, and many resolve. Complex features, growth, symptoms or raised markers prompt surgical evaluation.

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 Gynaecological oncology: simple cyst in postmenopausal woman?

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.