Surgical oncology: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Surgical oncology

Sample item

What does a positive surgical margin mean after cancer resection?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tumor reaches the cut edge

A positive margin means tumor is present at the resection edge, indicating possible residual disease and prompting discussion of further treatment or surveillance.

Option by option

  • A. The wound is infected

    Wound infection is unrelated to histologic margin status.

  • B. Tumor reaches the cut edge (correct)

    Correct: tumor at the cut edge defines a positive margin.

  • C. Lymph nodes are normal

    Normal lymph nodes are a separate staging issue.

  • D. No tumor was found

    No tumor found is not a positive-margin result.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Tumor reaches the cut edge. A positive margin means tumor is present at the resection edge, indicating possible residual disease and prompting discussion of further treatment or surveillance.

Why is "The wound is infected" not the answer?

Wound infection is unrelated to histologic margin status.

Why is "Lymph nodes are normal" not the answer?

Normal lymph nodes are a separate staging issue.

Why is "No tumor was found" not the answer?

No tumor found is not a positive-margin result.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Surgical oncology in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct: tumor at the cut edge defines a positive margin.

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 Surgical oncology?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.