Haematology and oncology: follicular lymphoma translocation: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Haematology and oncology: follicular lymphoma translocation

Sample item

A 60-year-old woman has painless, waxing and waning lymphadenopathy for two years. Node biopsy shows a nodular pattern of small cleaved cells and centroblasts, and the neoplastic cells overexpress an anti-apoptotic protein. Which translocation is typical?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. t(14;18)

Follicular lymphoma is characterised by t(14;18), which places BCL2 under the immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter and blocks apoptosis. The course is indolent, with transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma possible.

Option by option

  • A. t(9;22)

    t(9;22) forms BCR-ABL in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

  • B. t(14;18) (correct)

    Correct. t(14;18) drives BCL2 overexpression in follicular lymphoma.

  • C. t(8;14)

    t(8;14) places MYC next to the heavy chain gene in Burkitt lymphoma.

  • D. t(11;14)

    t(11;14) causes cyclin D1 overexpression in mantle cell lymphoma.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, t(14;18). Follicular lymphoma is characterised by t(14;18), which places BCL2 under the immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter and blocks apoptosis.

Why is "t(9;22)" not the answer?

t(9;22) forms BCR-ABL in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Why is "t(8;14)" not the answer?

t(8;14) places MYC next to the heavy chain gene in Burkitt lymphoma.

Why is "t(11;14)" not the answer?

t(11;14) causes cyclin D1 overexpression in mantle cell lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology and oncology: follicular lymphoma translocation in General Medicine. The course is indolent, with transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma possible.

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 Haematology and oncology: follicular lymphoma translocation?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.