Environmental health: occupational bladder cancer: practice question

A PSM 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.

Try it

PSM · Environmental health: occupational bladder cancer

Sample item

A worker with 20 years of exposure in a dye factory presents with painless haematuria, and cystoscopy shows a papillary tumour. Which occupational agent is most likely responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Aromatic amines such as beta-naphthylamine

Aromatic amines such as beta-naphthylamine and benzidine used in dye, rubber and chemical industries cause occupational bladder cancer after a long latent period. Vinyl chloride causes hepatic angiosarcoma. Asbestos causes mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Option by option

  • A. Inorganic arsenic

    Arsenic is linked to skin, lung and bladder cancer from contaminated water, but the dye exposure here points to amines.

  • B. Vinyl chloride

    Vinyl chloride exposure is linked to hepatic angiosarcoma.

  • C. Aromatic amines such as beta-naphthylamine (correct)

    Correct. Aromatic amines in the dye industry cause bladder carcinoma.

  • D. Asbestos

    Asbestos causes mesothelioma, asbestosis and bronchogenic carcinoma.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Aromatic amines such as beta-naphthylamine. Aromatic amines such as beta-naphthylamine and benzidine used in dye, rubber and chemical industries cause occupational bladder cancer after a long latent period.

Why is "Inorganic arsenic" not the answer?

Arsenic is linked to skin, lung and bladder cancer from contaminated water, but the dye exposure here points to amines.

Why is "Vinyl chloride" not the answer?

Vinyl chloride exposure is linked to hepatic angiosarcoma.

Why is "Asbestos" not the answer?

Asbestos causes mesothelioma, asbestosis and bronchogenic carcinoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: occupational bladder cancer in PSM. Vinyl chloride causes hepatic angiosarcoma. Asbestos causes mesothelioma and lung cancer.

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 Environmental health: occupational bladder cancer?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.