Radiotherapy: radiation recall: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Radiotherapy: radiation recall

Sample item

A woman who completed breast radiotherapy months ago develops erythema and desquamation confined to the old treatment field soon after starting doxorubicin chemotherapy. What is this called?

ALate fibrosisBAcute radiation dermatitisCContact allergy to the dressingDRadiation recall dermatitis

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Radiation recall dermatitis

Radiation recall is an inflammatory reaction in a previously irradiated area triggered by certain drugs such as anthracyclines and taxanes, appearing after the radiotherapy has finished. It usually settles after stopping the drug and with supportive care.

Option by option

A. Late fibrosis
Fibrosis is a slow progressive late change and not an acute erythema.
B. Acute radiation dermatitis
Acute dermatitis occurs during or just after the treatment course.
C. Contact allergy to the dressing
A dressing allergy would not map precisely to the radiation field.
D. Radiation recall dermatitis (correct)
Correct. A drug-triggered reaction limited to the old field is radiation recall.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Radiation recall dermatitis. Radiation recall is an inflammatory reaction in a previously irradiated area triggered by certain drugs such as anthracyclines and taxanes, appearing after the radiotherapy has finished.

Why is "Late fibrosis" not the answer?

Fibrosis is a slow progressive late change and not an acute erythema.

Why is "Acute radiation dermatitis" not the answer?

Acute dermatitis occurs during or just after the treatment course.

Why is "Contact allergy to the dressing" not the answer?

A dressing allergy would not map precisely to the radiation field.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy: radiation recall in Radiology. It usually settles after stopping the drug and with supportive care.

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 Radiotherapy: radiation recall?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.