Bone tumours: chordoma: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Bone tumours: chordoma

Sample item

A 60-year-old man has a slowly growing destructive sacral mass with bowel and bladder dysfunction. Biopsy shows physaliferous cells. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Chordoma

Chordoma arises from notochord remnants at the sacrococcygeal region or clivus and shows physaliferous (bubbly) cells with brachyury expression. It is locally aggressive and treated by wide resection and radiotherapy.

Option by option

  • A. Osteosarcoma

    Osteosarcoma has osteoid production and affects the young.

  • B. Chondrosarcoma

    Chondrosarcoma has cartilage matrix and calcification.

  • C. Giant cell tumour

    Giant cell tumour shows multinucleated giant cells and is usually eccentric in the epiphysis.

  • D. Chordoma (correct)

    Correct. Physaliferous cells point to chordoma.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Chordoma. Chordoma arises from notochord remnants at the sacrococcygeal region or clivus and shows physaliferous (bubbly) cells with brachyury expression.

Why is "Osteosarcoma" not the answer?

Osteosarcoma has osteoid production and affects the young.

Why is "Chondrosarcoma" not the answer?

Chondrosarcoma has cartilage matrix and calcification.

Why is "Giant cell tumour" not the answer?

Giant cell tumour shows multinucleated giant cells and is usually eccentric in the epiphysis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone tumours: chordoma in Orthopaedics. It is locally aggressive and treated by wide resection and radiotherapy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Bone tumours: chordoma?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.