Head and neck oncology: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Head and neck oncology

Sample item

Which neck mass should be considered malignant until proven otherwise in an adult?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Persistent lateral cervical lymph node enlargement

A persistent adult lateral neck mass may represent metastatic head and neck cancer and warrants timely imaging, endoscopy, and tissue diagnosis.

Option by option

  • A. Tender node resolving after dental infection

    A resolving reactive node is less concerning.

  • B. Small mobile cyst present since childhood

    Longstanding congenital cysts have a different pattern.

  • C. Persistent lateral cervical lymph node enlargement (correct)

    Correct: persistent adult cervical nodes require malignancy evaluation.

  • D. Brief sternocleidomastoid spasm

    Muscle spasm is not a neck mass.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Persistent lateral cervical lymph node enlargement. A persistent adult lateral neck mass may represent metastatic head and neck cancer and warrants timely imaging, endoscopy, and tissue diagnosis.

Why is "Tender node resolving after dental infection" not the answer?

A resolving reactive node is less concerning.

Why is "Small mobile cyst present since childhood" not the answer?

Longstanding congenital cysts have a different pattern.

Why is "Brief sternocleidomastoid spasm" not the answer?

Muscle spasm is not a neck mass.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck oncology in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: persistent adult cervical nodes require malignancy 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 Head and neck oncology?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.