Radiotherapy: radioprotector: practice question

A Radiology 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

Radiology · Radiotherapy: radioprotector

Sample item

Which drug is used as a cytoprotective agent to reduce xerostomia during head and neck radiotherapy?

ABleomycinBMethotrexateCAmifostineDCisplatin

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Amifostine

Amifostine is a thiol compound that scavenges free radicals in normal tissues and protects salivary glands and kidneys. Cisplatin is a radiosensitiser, and methotrexate and bleomycin are cytotoxic drugs. Its use is limited by hypotension and nausea.

Option by option

A. Bleomycin
Bleomycin is cytotoxic and causes pulmonary toxicity.
B. Methotrexate
Methotrexate is cytotoxic and not protective.
C. Amifostine (correct)
Correct. Amifostine is a radioprotector.
D. Cisplatin
Cisplatin is used as a radiosensitiser with radiotherapy.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Amifostine. Amifostine is a thiol compound that scavenges free radicals in normal tissues and protects salivary glands and kidneys.

Why is "Bleomycin" not the answer?

Bleomycin is cytotoxic and causes pulmonary toxicity.

Why is "Methotrexate" not the answer?

Methotrexate is cytotoxic and not protective.

Why is "Cisplatin" not the answer?

Cisplatin is used as a radiosensitiser with radiotherapy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy: radioprotector in Radiology. Cisplatin is a radiosensitiser, and methotrexate and bleomycin are cytotoxic drugs. Its use is limited by hypotension and nausea.

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 Radiotherapy: radioprotector?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.