Thyroid: medullary 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 · Thyroid: medullary carcinoma

Sample item

Which tumour marker is characteristic of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, and which familial syndrome is associated?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Calcitonin; MEN type 2

Medullary carcinoma arises from parafollicular C cells, secretes calcitonin and shows amyloid. About a quarter are familial, linked to RET mutations in MEN 2A and 2B.

Option by option

  • A. TSH; Li-Fraumeni syndrome

    TSH is not a tumour marker for this cancer.

  • B. Thyroglobulin; MEN type 1

    Thyroglobulin follows differentiated thyroid cancer, and MEN 1 does not involve medullary cancer.

  • C. CEA only; Gardner syndrome

    Gardner syndrome is related to colonic polyposis.

  • D. Calcitonin; MEN type 2 (correct)

    Correct. Calcitonin and MEN 2 are the key links.

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 D, Calcitonin; MEN type 2. Medullary carcinoma arises from parafollicular C cells, secretes calcitonin and shows amyloid.

Why is "TSH; Li-Fraumeni syndrome" not the answer?

TSH is not a tumour marker for this cancer.

Why is "Thyroglobulin; MEN type 1" not the answer?

Thyroglobulin follows differentiated thyroid cancer, and MEN 1 does not involve medullary cancer.

Why is "CEA only; Gardner syndrome" not the answer?

Gardner syndrome is related to colonic polyposis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thyroid: medullary carcinoma in ENT. About a quarter are familial, linked to RET mutations in MEN 2A and 2B.

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 Thyroid: medullary 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.