Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue: 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 · Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue

Sample item

A 50-year-old woman has a periareolar mass, nipple retraction and thick green-brown nipple discharge. Biopsy shows ducts distended with inspissated secretions, periductal plasma cells and fibrosis. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mammary duct ectasia

Duct ectasia is a benign condition of dilated subareolar ducts with periductal inflammation, which can mimic carcinoma by causing nipple retraction. Intraductal papilloma gives bloody discharge.

Option by option

  • A. Mammary duct ectasia (correct)

    Correct. Secretion-filled ducts with periductal plasma cells and retraction fit this condition.

  • B. Fat necrosis

    Fat necrosis follows trauma and shows foamy macrophages and saponified fat.

  • C. Paget disease of the nipple

    Paget disease shows an eczematous nipple with large clear cells in the epidermis.

  • D. Intraductal papilloma

    Intraductal papilloma causes bloody discharge from a single duct, with a fibrovascular core.

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 A, Mammary duct ectasia. Duct ectasia is a benign condition of dilated subareolar ducts with periductal inflammation, which can mimic carcinoma by causing nipple retraction.

Why is "Fat necrosis" not the answer?

Fat necrosis follows trauma and shows foamy macrophages and saponified fat.

Why is "Paget disease of the nipple" not the answer?

Paget disease shows an eczematous nipple with large clear cells in the epidermis.

Why is "Intraductal papilloma" not the answer?

Intraductal papilloma causes bloody discharge from a single duct, with a fibrovascular core.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue in Pathology. Intraductal papilloma gives bloody discharge.

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 Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue?

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.