Salivary glands: adenoid cystic carcinoma: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Salivary glands: adenoid cystic carcinoma

Sample item

A patient with a parotid tumour has facial weakness. Histology shows cribriform pattern and tumour surrounding nerves. Which feature is typical of this tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Perineural invasion with late distant spread

Adenoid cystic carcinoma shows relentless perineural spread, leading to pain or facial palsy, and late haematogenous metastasis to lung even years after treatment. Wide excision with adjuvant radiotherapy is used. Nodal spread is uncommon.

Option by option

  • A. Perineural invasion with late distant spread (correct)

    Correct. Perineural invasion is the hallmark.

  • B. Early nodal spread

    Nodal metastasis is uncommon.

  • C. Complete cure by enucleation

    Enucleation fails because of perineural spread.

  • D. Spontaneous regression

    The tumour is progressive.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Perineural invasion with late distant spread. Adenoid cystic carcinoma shows relentless perineural spread, leading to pain or facial palsy, and late haematogenous metastasis to lung even years after treatment.

Why is "Early nodal spread" not the answer?

Nodal metastasis is uncommon.

Why is "Complete cure by enucleation" not the answer?

Enucleation fails because of perineural spread.

Why is "Spontaneous regression" not the answer?

The tumour is progressive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Salivary glands: adenoid cystic carcinoma in General Surgery. Wide excision with adjuvant radiotherapy is used. Nodal spread is uncommon.

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 Salivary glands: adenoid cystic carcinoma?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.