Oncology: tumour lysis syndrome: practice question

A General Medicine 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 Medicine · Oncology: tumour lysis syndrome

Sample item

After chemotherapy for high-grade lymphoma, a patient develops hyperkalaemia, hyperphosphataemia, hypocalcaemia and acute kidney injury. What syndrome is present?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tumour lysis syndrome

Rapid tumour-cell breakdown releases potassium, phosphate and nucleic acids that become uric acid, causing metabolic and renal emergencies.

Option by option

  • A. Adrenal crisis

    Adrenal crisis causes hypotension and often hyperkalaemia but not phosphate pattern.

  • B. SIADH

    SIADH causes hyponatraemia.

  • C. Nephrotic syndrome

    Nephrotic syndrome causes heavy proteinuria and oedema.

  • D. Tumour lysis syndrome (correct)

    Correct. The electrolyte pattern follows massive cell lysis.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Tumour lysis syndrome. Rapid tumour-cell breakdown releases potassium, phosphate and nucleic acids that become uric acid, causing metabolic and renal emergencies.

Why is "Adrenal crisis" not the answer?

Adrenal crisis causes hypotension and often hyperkalaemia but not phosphate pattern.

Why is "SIADH" not the answer?

SIADH causes hyponatraemia.

Why is "Nephrotic syndrome" not the answer?

Nephrotic syndrome causes heavy proteinuria and oedema.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oncology: tumour lysis syndrome in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct. The electrolyte pattern follows massive cell lysis.

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 Oncology: tumour lysis syndrome?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.