Endocrine pathology: papillary thyroid carcinoma: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Endocrine pathology: papillary thyroid carcinoma

Sample item

A thyroid nodule biopsy shows optically clear 'Orphan Annie eye' nuclei and nuclear grooves. Which malignancy is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma commonly shows nuclear clearing, grooves and inclusions, and may contain psammoma bodies. It often spreads to cervical lymph nodes but generally has an excellent prognosis.

Option by option

  • A. Medullary thyroid carcinoma

    Medullary carcinoma arises from C cells and secretes calcitonin.

  • B. Follicular thyroid carcinoma

    Follicular carcinoma is diagnosed by capsular or vascular invasion, not cytology alone.

  • C. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

    Anaplastic carcinoma is highly pleomorphic and aggressively invasive.

  • D. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. The distinctive nuclear features identify papillary carcinoma.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Papillary thyroid carcinoma. Papillary thyroid carcinoma commonly shows nuclear clearing, grooves and inclusions, and may contain psammoma bodies.

Why is "Medullary thyroid carcinoma" not the answer?

Medullary carcinoma arises from C cells and secretes calcitonin.

Why is "Follicular thyroid carcinoma" not the answer?

Follicular carcinoma is diagnosed by capsular or vascular invasion, not cytology alone.

Why is "Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma" not the answer?

Anaplastic carcinoma is highly pleomorphic and aggressively invasive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine pathology: papillary thyroid carcinoma in Pathology. It often spreads to cervical lymph nodes but generally has an excellent prognosis.

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 Endocrine pathology: papillary thyroid carcinoma?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.