Haematology: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Haematology

Sample item

A 25-year-old man has an isolated, slowly growing cervical node. Biopsy shows scattered large cells with multilobated nuclei in a nodular background of small B lymphocytes. The large cells are CD20 positive and negative for CD15 and CD30. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma has popcorn (LP) cells that keep B-cell markers such as CD20 and lack CD15 and CD30. Classical subtypes have Reed-Sternberg cells that are CD15 and CD30 positive and usually CD20 negative.

Option by option

  • A. Mixed cellularity classical Hodgkin lymphoma

    Mixed cellularity shows classic Reed-Sternberg cells with eosinophils and plasma cells, and CD15 positivity.

  • B. Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (correct)

    Correct. Popcorn cells that are CD20 positive and CD15 and CD30 negative define this entity.

  • C. Nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma

    Nodular sclerosis shows lacunar cells with collagen bands and CD15 and CD30 positivity.

  • D. Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma

    Lymphocyte-rich classical disease is a classical subtype, so its large cells are CD15 and CD30 positive.

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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma has popcorn (LP) cells that keep B-cell markers such as CD20 and lack CD15 and CD30.

Why is "Mixed cellularity classical Hodgkin lymphoma" not the answer?

Mixed cellularity shows classic Reed-Sternberg cells with eosinophils and plasma cells, and CD15 positivity.

Why is "Nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma" not the answer?

Nodular sclerosis shows lacunar cells with collagen bands and CD15 and CD30 positivity.

Why is "Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma" not the answer?

Lymphocyte-rich classical disease is a classical subtype, so its large cells are CD15 and CD30 positive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology in Pathology. Classical subtypes have Reed-Sternberg cells that are CD15 and CD30 positive and usually CD20 negative.

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 Haematology?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.