Radiation safety and radiobiology: shortest latency cancer: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Radiation safety and radiobiology: shortest latency cancer

Sample item

In survivors of significant whole-body radiation exposure, which malignancy appears earliest, with a minimum latent period of only a few years?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Leukaemia

Leukaemia has the shortest latent period of radiation-induced cancers, appearing within about 2 to 5 years and peaking in the first decade. Solid tumours usually emerge after 10 years or more. This is why it was the first excess cancer seen in atomic bomb survivors.

Option by option

  • A. Breast carcinoma

    Breast cancer follows after a long latent period.

  • B. Leukaemia (correct)

    Correct. Leukaemia has the shortest latency.

  • C. Thyroid carcinoma

    Thyroid cancer develops over a longer interval.

  • D. Lung carcinoma

    Lung cancer typically appears decades later.

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.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Leukaemia. Leukaemia has the shortest latent period of radiation-induced cancers, appearing within about 2 to 5 years and peaking in the first decade.

Why is "Breast carcinoma" not the answer?

Breast cancer follows after a long latent period.

Why is "Thyroid carcinoma" not the answer?

Thyroid cancer develops over a longer interval.

Why is "Lung carcinoma" not the answer?

Lung cancer typically appears decades later.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiation safety and radiobiology: shortest latency cancer in Radiology. Solid tumours usually emerge after 10 years or more. This is why it was the first excess cancer seen in atomic bomb survivors.

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 Radiation safety and radiobiology: shortest latency cancer?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.