Neoplasia: MEN syndromes: 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 · Neoplasia: MEN syndromes

Sample item

A 25-year-old has a medullary thyroid carcinoma, mucosal neuromas and a marfanoid habitus. Which additional lesion is expected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Phaeochromocytoma

MEN 2B has medullary thyroid cancer, phaeochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas and marfanoid habitus, caused by RET mutations. Parathyroid hyperplasia belongs to MEN 2A, and gastrinoma to MEN 1.

Option by option

  • A. Parathyroid hyperplasia with a pituitary adenoma

    Parathyroid and pituitary tumours belong to MEN 1, and parathyroid hyperplasia to MEN 2A.

  • B. Pancreatic gastrinoma

    Gastrinoma is a MEN 1 pancreatic tumour.

  • C. Phaeochromocytoma (correct)

    Correct. MEN 2B includes phaeochromocytoma but not parathyroid disease.

  • D. Adrenal cortical adenoma only

    A cortical adenoma only is not a component of MEN 2B.

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, Phaeochromocytoma. MEN 2B has medullary thyroid cancer, phaeochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas and marfanoid habitus, caused by RET mutations.

Why is "Parathyroid hyperplasia with a pituitary adenoma" not the answer?

Parathyroid and pituitary tumours belong to MEN 1, and parathyroid hyperplasia to MEN 2A.

Why is "Pancreatic gastrinoma" not the answer?

Gastrinoma is a MEN 1 pancreatic tumour.

Why is "Adrenal cortical adenoma only" not the answer?

A cortical adenoma only is not a component of MEN 2B.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: MEN syndromes in Pathology. Parathyroid hyperplasia belongs to MEN 2A, and gastrinoma to MEN 1.

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 Neoplasia: MEN syndromes?

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.