Neoplasia: mature cystic teratoma: 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: mature cystic teratoma

Sample item

A 25-year-old woman has a unilocular ovarian cyst containing hair and sebaceous material. Histology shows skin with adnexa, cartilage, respiratory epithelium and neural tissue. What is the best description of this tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Benign tumour with elements of all three germ layers

A mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst) is a benign germ cell tumour with mature ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal tissues. Malignant change is rare, and it is the most common ovarian tumour in young women.

Option by option

  • A. Benign tumour with elements of all three germ layers (correct)

    Correct. Differentiated tissues from all three germ layers define a mature teratoma.

  • B. Mucinous tumour of surface epithelium

    Mucinous tumours arise from surface epithelium and contain mucin, not hair.

  • C. Sex cord-stromal tumour secreting oestrogen

    Oestrogen-secreting tumours are granulosa-theca cell tumours of the stroma.

  • D. Malignant tumour of primitive trophoblast

    Primitive trophoblast tumour describes choriocarcinoma, which is malignant and secretes hCG.

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 A, Benign tumour with elements of all three germ layers. A mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst) is a benign germ cell tumour with mature ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal tissues.

Why is "Mucinous tumour of surface epithelium" not the answer?

Mucinous tumours arise from surface epithelium and contain mucin, not hair.

Why is "Sex cord-stromal tumour secreting oestrogen" not the answer?

Oestrogen-secreting tumours are granulosa-theca cell tumours of the stroma.

Why is "Malignant tumour of primitive trophoblast" not the answer?

Primitive trophoblast tumour describes choriocarcinoma, which is malignant and secretes hCG.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: mature cystic teratoma in Pathology. Malignant change is rare, and it is the most common ovarian tumour in young women.

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: mature cystic teratoma?

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.