Neoplasia: infectious agents and cholangiocarcinoma: 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: infectious agents and cholangiocarcinoma

Sample item

A 60-year-old man from a region where raw freshwater fish is commonly eaten has obstructive jaundice and a hilar mass. Biopsy shows adenocarcinoma of the bile duct. Chronic infestation with which parasite is the recognised risk factor?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Clonorchis sinensis

Chronic infestation with the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini, acquired by eating raw freshwater fish, causes biliary epithelial hyperplasia and increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. Fasciola is acquired from aquatic plants and is not a classic carcinogen.

Option by option

  • A. Schistosoma mansoni

    Schistosoma mansoni causes periportal fibrosis and portal hypertension rather than cholangiocarcinoma.

  • B. Clonorchis sinensis (correct)

    Correct. Clonorchis infestation causes chronic cholangitis and predisposes to cholangiocarcinoma.

  • C. Echinococcus granulosus

    Echinococcus causes hydatid cysts in the liver and is not linked to bile duct cancer.

  • D. Fasciola hepatica

    Fasciola hepatica is acquired from watercress and causes biliary fibrosis, but it is not the classic carcinogenic fluke.

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, Clonorchis sinensis. Chronic infestation with the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini, acquired by eating raw freshwater fish, causes biliary epithelial hyperplasia and increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma.

Why is "Schistosoma mansoni" not the answer?

Schistosoma mansoni causes periportal fibrosis and portal hypertension rather than cholangiocarcinoma.

Why is "Echinococcus granulosus" not the answer?

Echinococcus causes hydatid cysts in the liver and is not linked to bile duct cancer.

Why is "Fasciola hepatica" not the answer?

Fasciola hepatica is acquired from watercress and causes biliary fibrosis, but it is not the classic carcinogenic fluke.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: infectious agents and cholangiocarcinoma in Pathology. Fasciola is acquired from aquatic plants and is not a classic carcinogen.

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: infectious agents and cholangiocarcinoma?

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.