Salivary glands: adenoid cystic 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 · Salivary glands: adenoid cystic carcinoma

Sample item

A tumour of the submandibular gland with facial pain, a slow course and late lung metastases shows a Swiss-cheese pattern. What is its characteristic behaviour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Perineural invasion

Adenoid cystic carcinoma has a strong tendency for perineural spread, causing pain and nerve palsies, and late haematogenous metastases to lung. Wide resection with postoperative radiotherapy is used.

Option by option

  • A. Perineural invasion (correct)

    Correct. Perineural invasion is characteristic.

  • B. Spontaneous regression

    It does not regress.

  • C. Cure after enucleation

    Enucleation gives high recurrence.

  • D. Rapid lymphatic spread

    Nodal spread is uncommon.

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 A, Perineural invasion. Adenoid cystic carcinoma has a strong tendency for perineural spread, causing pain and nerve palsies, and late haematogenous metastases to lung.

Why is "Spontaneous regression" not the answer?

It does not regress.

Why is "Cure after enucleation" not the answer?

Enucleation gives high recurrence.

Why is "Rapid lymphatic spread" not the answer?

Nodal spread is uncommon.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Salivary glands: adenoid cystic carcinoma in ENT. Wide resection with postoperative radiotherapy is used.

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 Salivary glands: adenoid cystic 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.