Paediatric surgery: sacrococcygeal teratoma: practice question

A General Surgery 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.

Try it

General Surgery · Paediatric surgery: sacrococcygeal teratoma

Sample item

A newborn has a large mass protruding from the sacral region. Imaging shows a predominantly solid tumour with a pelvic component, and alpha-fetoprotein is elevated. Which operative step best reduces recurrence?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Complete excision including the coccyx

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common neonatal tumour, a germ cell tumour arising from the coccyx. Because tumour cells arise from the coccygeal tip, coccygectomy with the mass prevents local recurrence, and AFP is followed afterwards to detect malignant recurrence. Delay increases the risk of malignant change.

Option by option

  • A. Excision of the tumour leaving the coccyx

    Leaving the coccyx is associated with local recurrence.

  • B. Radiotherapy alone

    Radiotherapy is not curative here and harms growing tissue.

  • C. Needle aspiration

    Aspiration cannot remove a solid tumour and risks seeding.

  • D. Complete excision including the coccyx (correct)

    Correct. The coccyx contains the origin of the tumour and must be removed.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Complete excision including the coccyx. Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common neonatal tumour, a germ cell tumour arising from the coccyx.

Why is "Excision of the tumour leaving the coccyx" not the answer?

Leaving the coccyx is associated with local recurrence.

Why is "Radiotherapy alone" not the answer?

Radiotherapy is not curative here and harms growing tissue.

Why is "Needle aspiration" not the answer?

Aspiration cannot remove a solid tumour and risks seeding.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric surgery: sacrococcygeal teratoma in General Surgery. Because tumour cells arise from the coccygeal tip, coccygectomy with the mass prevents local recurrence, and AFP is followed afterwards to detect malignant recurrence. Delay increases the risk of malignant change.

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 Paediatric surgery: sacrococcygeal teratoma?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.