Gynaecological oncology: ovarian cancer screening: practice question

A OBG 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

OBG · Gynaecological oncology: ovarian cancer screening

Sample item

Which statement about screening for ovarian cancer in average-risk asymptomatic women is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. CA-125 with ultrasound has not been shown to reduce mortality

Large trials of CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound screening did not reduce ovarian cancer mortality and led to unnecessary surgery. Screening is therefore not recommended for average-risk women, though high-risk women need individual planning.

Option by option

  • A. Cervical cytology detects early ovarian cancer

    Cervical cytology screens for cervical disease and not ovarian cancer.

  • B. CA-125 with ultrasound has not been shown to reduce mortality (correct)

    Correct. Screening trials did not show a mortality benefit.

  • C. Annual CA-125 alone is recommended

    CA-125 alone is neither sensitive nor specific enough for screening.

  • D. Annual pelvic MRI is recommended

    MRI screening is not recommended for average-risk women.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, CA-125 with ultrasound has not been shown to reduce mortality. Large trials of CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound screening did not reduce ovarian cancer mortality and led to unnecessary surgery.

Why is "Cervical cytology detects early ovarian cancer" not the answer?

Cervical cytology screens for cervical disease and not ovarian cancer.

Why is "Annual CA-125 alone is recommended" not the answer?

CA-125 alone is neither sensitive nor specific enough for screening.

Why is "Annual pelvic MRI is recommended" not the answer?

MRI screening is not recommended for average-risk women.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological oncology: ovarian cancer screening in OBG. Screening is therefore not recommended for average-risk women, though high-risk women need individual planning.

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 Gynaecological oncology: ovarian cancer screening?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.