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 stellate mammographic lesion mimics carcinoma. Core biopsy shows a central fibroelastotic core with ducts radiating outwards. The ducts show hyperplasia and entrapped glands, but there is no cytological atypia and the myoepithelial layer is intact. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Radial scar

A radial scar is a benign, stellate sclerosing lesion with a central elastotic core. Tubular carcinoma looks similar but its glands lack myoepithelial cells.

Option by option

  • A. Fat necrosis

    Fat necrosis shows foamy macrophages and giant cells after trauma, not a radiating core.

  • B. Tubular carcinoma

    Tubular carcinoma has angulated glands without a myoepithelial layer and with low-grade atypia.

  • C. Radial scar (correct)

    Correct. A fibroelastotic core with radiating ducts and intact myoepithelium is a radial scar.

  • D. Invasive lobular carcinoma

    Invasive lobular carcinoma shows single-file non-cohesive cells with loss of E-cadherin.

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 C, Radial scar. A radial scar is a benign, stellate sclerosing lesion with a central elastotic core.

Why is "Fat necrosis" not the answer?

Fat necrosis shows foamy macrophages and giant cells after trauma, not a radiating core.

Why is "Tubular carcinoma" not the answer?

Tubular carcinoma has angulated glands without a myoepithelial layer and with low-grade atypia.

Why is "Invasive lobular carcinoma" not the answer?

Invasive lobular carcinoma shows single-file non-cohesive cells with loss of E-cadherin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue in Pathology. Tubular carcinoma looks similar but its glands lack myoepithelial cells.

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 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.