Soft tissue: embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: 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 · Soft tissue: embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Sample item

A 3-year-old girl has vaginal bleeding and a grape-like polypoid mass protruding from the vagina. Biopsy shows small round cells beneath the epithelium, with some strap-shaped cells showing cross-striations. Which immunohistochemical markers are expected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Desmin and myogenin

Sarcoma botryoides is a variant of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in young children, arising beneath mucosa of the vagina or bladder. It forms a polypoid, grape-like mass, and cells show skeletal muscle differentiation with strap cells. The tumour stains for desmin, myogenin and MyoD1, and is treated with chemotherapy, surgery and sometimes radiotherapy.

Option by option

  • A. S-100 and HMB-45

    S-100 and HMB-45 are melanoma markers.

  • B. CD99 and FLI-1

    CD99 and FLI-1 mark Ewing sarcoma, a bone and soft tissue tumour of small round cells.

  • C. CD117 and DOG1

    CD117 and DOG1 mark gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

  • D. Desmin and myogenin (correct)

    Correct. Desmin and myogenin show skeletal muscle differentiation.

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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Desmin and myogenin. Sarcoma botryoides is a variant of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in young children, arising beneath mucosa of the vagina or bladder.

Why is "S-100 and HMB-45" not the answer?

S-100 and HMB-45 are melanoma markers.

Why is "CD99 and FLI-1" not the answer?

CD99 and FLI-1 mark Ewing sarcoma, a bone and soft tissue tumour of small round cells.

Why is "CD117 and DOG1" not the answer?

CD117 and DOG1 mark gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Soft tissue: embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in Pathology. It forms a polypoid, grape-like mass, and cells show skeletal muscle differentiation with strap cells. The tumour stains for desmin, myogenin and MyoD1, and is treated with chemotherapy, surgery and sometimes radiotherapy.

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 Soft tissue: embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma?

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.