Radiotherapy: radiosensitisers: 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.

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Radiology · Radiotherapy: radiosensitisers

Sample item

Which drug is commonly given concurrently with radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical and head and neck cancer to improve local control?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cisplatin

Cisplatin acts as a radiosensitiser by inhibiting DNA repair and gives a survival benefit in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervix and head and neck cancer. Amifostine is a protector. Tamoxifen is hormonal and octreotide is a somatostatin analogue.

Option by option

  • A. Cisplatin (correct)

    Correct. Concurrent cisplatin improves outcomes.

  • B. Tamoxifen

    Tamoxifen is endocrine therapy.

  • C. Octreotide

    Octreotide is a hormone analogue and not a radiosensitiser.

  • D. Amifostine

    Amifostine protects normal tissue.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Cisplatin. Cisplatin acts as a radiosensitiser by inhibiting DNA repair and gives a survival benefit in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervix and head and neck cancer.

Why is "Tamoxifen" not the answer?

Tamoxifen is endocrine therapy.

Why is "Octreotide" not the answer?

Octreotide is a hormone analogue and not a radiosensitiser.

Why is "Amifostine" not the answer?

Amifostine protects normal tissue.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy: radiosensitisers in Radiology. Amifostine is a protector. Tamoxifen is hormonal and octreotide is a somatostatin analogue.

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: radiosensitisers?

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.