Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: acute versus late effects: 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 and nuclear medicine basics: acute versus late effects

Sample item

Which of the following is a late rather than an acute effect of radiotherapy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pulmonary fibrosis

Acute effects such as erythema, mucositis and oesophagitis affect rapidly renewing tissues within weeks and usually heal. Late effects such as fibrosis, myelitis and vascular damage appear months to years later and are mostly irreversible.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary fibrosis (correct)

    Correct. Fibrosis is a late, usually permanent change.

  • B. Oral mucositis

    Mucositis occurs during treatment in rapidly dividing mucosa.

  • C. Skin erythema

    Erythema is an early skin reaction.

  • D. Radiation oesophagitis

    Oesophagitis develops during or soon after treatment.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Pulmonary fibrosis. Acute effects such as erythema, mucositis and oesophagitis affect rapidly renewing tissues within weeks and usually heal.

Why is "Oral mucositis" not the answer?

Mucositis occurs during treatment in rapidly dividing mucosa.

Why is "Skin erythema" not the answer?

Erythema is an early skin reaction.

Why is "Radiation oesophagitis" not the answer?

Oesophagitis develops during or soon after treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: acute versus late effects in Radiology. Late effects such as fibrosis, myelitis and vascular damage appear months to years later and are mostly irreversible.

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 Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: acute versus late effects?

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.