Gynaecological oncology: germ cell tumours: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Gynaecological oncology: germ cell tumours

Sample item

A 35-year-old woman with a dermoid cyst of the ovary has weight loss, tremor and a suppressed TSH. Which tumour component produces her symptoms?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Thyroid tissue within the teratoma (struma ovarii)

Struma ovarii is a monodermal teratoma composed predominantly of thyroid tissue that can secrete thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism with suppressed TSH. Granulosa cell tumours secrete oestrogen. Choriocarcinoma secretes hCG, which can mimic TSH only weakly.

Option by option

  • A. Pituitary adenoma

    A pituitary adenoma would raise TSH rather than suppress it.

  • B. Thyroid tissue within the teratoma (struma ovarii) (correct)

    Correct. Functioning thyroid tissue in the teratoma causes thyrotoxicosis.

  • C. Choriocarcinoma elements

    Choriocarcinoma is not a usual component of a mature dermoid.

  • D. Granulosa cells

    Granulosa cells produce oestrogen and inhibin.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Thyroid tissue within the teratoma (struma ovarii). Struma ovarii is a monodermal teratoma composed predominantly of thyroid tissue that can secrete thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism with suppressed TSH.

Why is "Pituitary adenoma" not the answer?

A pituitary adenoma would raise TSH rather than suppress it.

Why is "Choriocarcinoma elements" not the answer?

Choriocarcinoma is not a usual component of a mature dermoid.

Why is "Granulosa cells" not the answer?

Granulosa cells produce oestrogen and inhibin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological oncology: germ cell tumours in OBG. Granulosa cell tumours secrete oestrogen. Choriocarcinoma secretes hCG, which can mimic TSH only weakly.

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 Gynaecological oncology: germ cell tumours?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.