Neoplasia: urinary bladder 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 · Neoplasia: urinary bladder carcinoma

Sample item

A 38-year-old farm worker from an endemic area has terminal haematuria. Cystoscopic biopsy shows calcified eggs with a terminal spine in the bladder wall and an ulcerated tumour. Which type of carcinoma is most characteristically associated with this infection?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Squamous cell carcinoma

Chronic Schistosoma haematobium infection causes bladder inflammation, fibrosis, calcification and squamous metaplasia, which progresses to squamous cell carcinoma. Urothelial carcinoma is the usual bladder cancer and is linked to smoking and aromatic amines. Adenocarcinoma is associated with urachal remnants and bladder exstrophy.

Option by option

  • A. Small cell carcinoma

    Small cell carcinoma is rare and has no specific link to this parasite.

  • B. Squamous cell carcinoma (correct)

    Chronic schistosomal cystitis with squamous metaplasia leads to squamous carcinoma.

  • C. Adenocarcinoma

    Adenocarcinoma is associated with urachal remnants or exstrophy.

  • D. Urothelial carcinoma

    Urothelial carcinoma is linked to smoking and aniline dyes and is the commonest type elsewhere.

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 B, Squamous cell carcinoma. Chronic Schistosoma haematobium infection causes bladder inflammation, fibrosis, calcification and squamous metaplasia, which progresses to squamous cell carcinoma.

Why is "Small cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Small cell carcinoma is rare and has no specific link to this parasite.

Why is "Adenocarcinoma" not the answer?

Adenocarcinoma is associated with urachal remnants or exstrophy.

Why is "Urothelial carcinoma" not the answer?

Urothelial carcinoma is linked to smoking and aniline dyes and is the commonest type elsewhere.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: urinary bladder carcinoma in Pathology. Urothelial carcinoma is the usual bladder cancer and is linked to smoking and aromatic amines. Adenocarcinoma is associated with urachal remnants and bladder exstrophy.

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: urinary bladder 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.