Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: granular cell tumour: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: granular cell tumour

Sample item

A 35-year-old has a painless firm 1-cm nodule on the dorsum of the tongue. Histology shows large polygonal cells with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, S-100 positivity and overlying pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Granular cell tumour

Granular cell tumour is a Schwann cell lesion with granular cytoplasm that is S-100 positive. The overlying pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia may be mistaken for carcinoma on a shallow biopsy.

Option by option

  • A. Squamous cell carcinoma

    Carcinoma shows atypical keratinocytes, which are absent here.

  • B. Rhabdomyoma

    Rhabdomyoma shows striated muscle cells that are desmin positive.

  • C. Granular cell tumour (correct)

    Correct. Granular, S-100 positive cells define the tumour.

  • D. Neurofibroma

    Neurofibroma has spindle cells with wavy nuclei and no granular cytoplasm.

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.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Granular cell tumour. Granular cell tumour is a Schwann cell lesion with granular cytoplasm that is S-100 positive.

Why is "Squamous cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Carcinoma shows atypical keratinocytes, which are absent here.

Why is "Rhabdomyoma" not the answer?

Rhabdomyoma shows striated muscle cells that are desmin positive.

Why is "Neurofibroma" not the answer?

Neurofibroma has spindle cells with wavy nuclei and no granular cytoplasm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: granular cell tumour in Dentistry. The overlying pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia may be mistaken for carcinoma on a shallow biopsy.

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 Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: granular cell tumour?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.