Autoimmunity: Sjogren syndrome: 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 · Autoimmunity: Sjogren syndrome

Sample item

A 52-year-old woman with dry eyes, dry mouth and anti-SSA (Ro) antibodies develops persistent parotid enlargement, palpable purpura and low C4. Which malignancy is she at increased risk of?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Marginal zone (MALT-type) B-cell lymphoma

Sjogren syndrome involves lymphocytic destruction of lacrimal and salivary glands. Chronic B-cell stimulation predisposes to marginal zone lymphoma, often in the parotid, and the risk is highest with persistent parotid swelling, palpable purpura, cryoglobulinaemia and low C4. New enlargement of a gland in a Sjogren patient needs biopsy.

Option by option

  • A. Marginal zone (MALT-type) B-cell lymphoma (correct)

    Correct. Marginal zone lymphoma is the classic lymphoma complication of Sjogren syndrome.

  • B. Classical Hodgkin lymphoma

    Hodgkin lymphoma is not the characteristic lymphoma in Sjogren syndrome.

  • C. T-lymphoblastic lymphoma

    T-lymphoblastic lymphoma is a tumour of children and adolescents, with a mediastinal mass.

  • D. Burkitt lymphoma

    Burkitt lymphoma is linked to MYC translocation and EBV in endemic disease.

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, Marginal zone (MALT-type) B-cell lymphoma. Sjogren syndrome involves lymphocytic destruction of lacrimal and salivary glands.

Why is "Classical Hodgkin lymphoma" not the answer?

Hodgkin lymphoma is not the characteristic lymphoma in Sjogren syndrome.

Why is "T-lymphoblastic lymphoma" not the answer?

T-lymphoblastic lymphoma is a tumour of children and adolescents, with a mediastinal mass.

Why is "Burkitt lymphoma" not the answer?

Burkitt lymphoma is linked to MYC translocation and EBV in endemic disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Autoimmunity: Sjogren syndrome in Pathology. Chronic B-cell stimulation predisposes to marginal zone lymphoma, often in the parotid, and the risk is highest with persistent parotid swelling, palpable purpura, cryoglobulinaemia and low C4. New enlargement of a gland in a Sjogren patient needs biopsy.

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 Autoimmunity: Sjogren syndrome?

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.