Head and neck tumours: histology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Head and neck tumours: histology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Sample item

A 30-year-old from northeast India has nasopharyngeal carcinoma with high titres of EBV antibodies. Which histological type is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Non-keratinising undifferentiated carcinoma

Non-keratinising carcinoma, mostly the undifferentiated type, is the commonest histology in endemic regions and is strongly associated with EBV. Keratinising squamous carcinoma is less common and linked to tobacco and alcohol in non-endemic areas. Salivary gland-type tumours are rare.

Option by option

  • A. Keratinising squamous cell carcinoma

    Keratinising carcinoma is the type linked to smoking and alcohol rather than EBV.

  • B. Adenocarcinoma of minor salivary origin

    Adenocarcinoma of the nasopharynx is rare.

  • C. Adenoid cystic carcinoma

    Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare minor salivary gland tumour.

  • D. Non-keratinising undifferentiated carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. The undifferentiated non-keratinising type is EBV-associated and predominates in endemic regions.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Non-keratinising undifferentiated carcinoma. Non-keratinising carcinoma, mostly the undifferentiated type, is the commonest histology in endemic regions and is strongly associated with EBV.

Why is "Keratinising squamous cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Keratinising carcinoma is the type linked to smoking and alcohol rather than EBV.

Why is "Adenocarcinoma of minor salivary origin" not the answer?

Adenocarcinoma of the nasopharynx is rare.

Why is "Adenoid cystic carcinoma" not the answer?

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare minor salivary gland tumour.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: histology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in ENT. Keratinising squamous carcinoma is less common and linked to tobacco and alcohol in non-endemic areas. Salivary gland-type tumours are rare.

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 Head and neck tumours: histology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.