Oncology: lymph node biopsy: 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 · Oncology: lymph node biopsy

Sample item

A young man has a 3 cm firm rubbery cervical node with night sweats and weight loss. FNAC was inconclusive. What is the best next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Excision biopsy of the node

Lymphoma needs architecture for diagnosis and subtyping, so an excisional biopsy of the most abnormal node is preferred over FNAC or core in suspected lymphoma. Incisional wedge biopsy is used for large inaccessible masses. The specimen is sent fresh for immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

Option by option

  • A. Radiotherapy

    Radiotherapy without histology is inappropriate.

  • B. Excision biopsy of the node (correct)

    Correct. Excision biopsy preserves node architecture.

  • C. Empirical antitubercular treatment without diagnosis

    Treatment without diagnosis is unsafe.

  • D. Repeat FNAC indefinitely

    FNAC cannot reliably diagnose lymphoma.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Excision biopsy of the node. Lymphoma needs architecture for diagnosis and subtyping, so an excisional biopsy of the most abnormal node is preferred over FNAC or core in suspected lymphoma.

Why is "Radiotherapy" not the answer?

Radiotherapy without histology is inappropriate.

Why is "Empirical antitubercular treatment without diagnosis" not the answer?

Treatment without diagnosis is unsafe.

Why is "Repeat FNAC indefinitely" not the answer?

FNAC cannot reliably diagnose lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oncology: lymph node biopsy in General Surgery. Incisional wedge biopsy is used for large inaccessible masses. The specimen is sent fresh for immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

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 Oncology: lymph node biopsy?

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.