Head and neck: p16 status: 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.

Try it

ENT · Head and neck: p16 status

Sample item

In oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, positive p16 immunostaining is used as a surrogate marker of what, and what is its significance?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. HPV-related disease, which carries a better prognosis

p16 overexpression indicates transcriptionally active high-risk HPV, usually type 16. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers respond better to treatment and have a better prognosis than HPV-negative ones, and have a separate staging system.

Option by option

  • A. HPV-related disease, which carries a better prognosis (correct)

    Correct. p16 marks HPV-driven cancers with better outcomes.

  • B. EBV infection with a poor prognosis

    EBV markers relate to nasopharyngeal cancer.

  • C. HIV infection

    HIV is not what p16 marks.

  • D. Tobacco-related mutations with a better prognosis

    Tobacco-related cancers are usually p16 negative with poorer outcomes.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, HPV-related disease, which carries a better prognosis. p16 overexpression indicates transcriptionally active high-risk HPV, usually type 16.

Why is "EBV infection with a poor prognosis" not the answer?

EBV markers relate to nasopharyngeal cancer.

Why is "HIV infection" not the answer?

HIV is not what p16 marks.

Why is "Tobacco-related mutations with a better prognosis" not the answer?

Tobacco-related cancers are usually p16 negative with poorer outcomes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: p16 status in ENT. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers respond better to treatment and have a better prognosis than HPV-negative ones, and have a separate staging system.

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 Head and neck: p16 status?

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.