Neoplasia: occupational carcinogens: 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 · Neoplasia: occupational carcinogens

Sample item

A 52-year-old man who worked for 25 years in a textile dye factory has painless haematuria. Cystoscopy shows a papillary bladder tumour. Which agent is the most likely causative carcinogen?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. 2-Naphthylamine

Aromatic amines such as 2-naphthylamine and benzidine, used in dye and rubber industries, cause urothelial carcinoma after hepatic activation and urinary excretion of the carcinogenic metabolite. Cigarette smoking is the commonest overall cause.

Option by option

  • A. 2-Naphthylamine (correct)

    2-Naphthylamine is a classic occupational cause of bladder urothelial carcinoma.

  • B. Asbestos

    Asbestos causes mesothelioma, bronchogenic carcinoma and asbestosis, not bladder cancer.

  • C. Vinyl chloride

    Vinyl chloride in PVC manufacture is linked to hepatic angiosarcoma.

  • D. Benzene

    Benzene exposure is linked to acute myeloid leukaemia and aplastic anaemia.

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 A, 2-Naphthylamine. Aromatic amines such as 2-naphthylamine and benzidine, used in dye and rubber industries, cause urothelial carcinoma after hepatic activation and urinary excretion of the carcinogenic metabolite.

Why is "Asbestos" not the answer?

Asbestos causes mesothelioma, bronchogenic carcinoma and asbestosis, not bladder cancer.

Why is "Vinyl chloride" not the answer?

Vinyl chloride in PVC manufacture is linked to hepatic angiosarcoma.

Why is "Benzene" not the answer?

Benzene exposure is linked to acute myeloid leukaemia and aplastic anaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: occupational carcinogens in Pathology. Cigarette smoking is the commonest overall cause.

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 Neoplasia: occupational carcinogens?

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.