Neoplasia: thyroglobulin as tumour marker: 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: thyroglobulin as tumour marker

Sample item

A woman has undergone total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation for follicular thyroid carcinoma. Which serum marker is most useful for detecting recurrence during follow-up?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Thyroglobulin

After total thyroidectomy and ablation no normal thyroid tissue remains, so a rising thyroglobulin suggests persistent or recurrent differentiated (papillary or follicular) cancer. Calcitonin is the marker for medullary carcinoma.

Option by option

  • A. Calcitonin

    Calcitonin follows medullary carcinoma from C cells, not follicular cancer.

  • B. Alpha-fetoprotein

    AFP is a marker for hepatocellular carcinoma and yolk sac tumour.

  • C. Thyroglobulin (correct)

    Correct. Thyroglobulin is made by follicular-derived cells and rises with recurrence.

  • D. Carcinoembryonic antigen

    CEA is a supplementary marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma and gut cancers.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is C, Thyroglobulin. After total thyroidectomy and ablation no normal thyroid tissue remains, so a rising thyroglobulin suggests persistent or recurrent differentiated (papillary or follicular) cancer.

Why is "Calcitonin" not the answer?

Calcitonin follows medullary carcinoma from C cells, not follicular cancer.

Why is "Alpha-fetoprotein" not the answer?

AFP is a marker for hepatocellular carcinoma and yolk sac tumour.

Why is "Carcinoembryonic antigen" not the answer?

CEA is a supplementary marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma and gut cancers.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: thyroglobulin as tumour marker in Pathology. Calcitonin is the marker for medullary carcinoma.

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: thyroglobulin as tumour marker?

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.