Oral medicine and oral cancer: depth of invasion in staging: 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 medicine and oral cancer: depth of invasion in staging

Sample item

Under the AJCC 8th edition, which new factor was added to the T category of oral cavity carcinoma?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Depth of invasion

The 8th edition added depth of invasion (DOI) to the tumour size in the T category for oral cavity cancer. A tumour of 2 cm or less with DOI over 5 mm, for example, is upstaged.

Option by option

  • A. Depth of invasion (correct)

    Correct. DOI was introduced into T staging.

  • B. Lymphovascular invasion

    Lymphovascular invasion influences adjuvant decisions but not T category.

  • C. Tumour differentiation grade

    Grade is reported but is not part of TNM staging.

  • D. Perineural invasion

    Perineural invasion is a prognostic factor but not part of T staging.

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 A, Depth of invasion. The 8th edition added depth of invasion (DOI) to the tumour size in the T category for oral cavity cancer.

Why is "Lymphovascular invasion" not the answer?

Lymphovascular invasion influences adjuvant decisions but not T category.

Why is "Tumour differentiation grade" not the answer?

Grade is reported but is not part of TNM staging.

Why is "Perineural invasion" not the answer?

Perineural invasion is a prognostic factor but not part of T staging.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine and oral cancer: depth of invasion in staging in Dentistry. A tumour of 2 cm or less with DOI over 5 mm, for example, is upstaged.

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 Oral medicine and oral cancer: depth of invasion in staging?

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.