Endocrine pathology: 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 · Endocrine pathology

Sample item

A thyroid nodule shows sheets of polygonal cells in a stroma containing amyloid, and serum calcitonin is raised. A mutation in which gene is associated with the hereditary form of this tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. RET

Medullary thyroid carcinoma arises from parafollicular C cells, secretes calcitonin and the amyloid stroma derives from calcitonin. Germline RET mutations underlie MEN 2A and 2B and familial medullary carcinoma.

Option by option

  • A. RET (correct)

    Correct. Activating germline RET mutations cause the hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma syndromes.

  • B. PAX8-PPAR gamma

    The PAX8-PPAR gamma fusion is found in a subset of follicular carcinomas.

  • C. BRAF

    BRAF V600E is the typical driver in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

  • D. TP53

    TP53 mutation is typical of anaplastic thyroid 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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, RET. Medullary thyroid carcinoma arises from parafollicular C cells, secretes calcitonin and the amyloid stroma derives from calcitonin.

Why is "PAX8-PPAR gamma" not the answer?

The PAX8-PPAR gamma fusion is found in a subset of follicular carcinomas.

Why is "BRAF" not the answer?

BRAF V600E is the typical driver in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Why is "TP53" not the answer?

TP53 mutation is typical of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine pathology in Pathology. Germline RET mutations underlie MEN 2A and 2B and familial medullary carcinoma.

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 Endocrine pathology?

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.