Neoplasia: Epstein-Barr virus associated tumours: 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 · Neoplasia: Epstein-Barr virus associated tumours

Sample item

A 40-year-old man from Nagaland has a painless upper cervical lymph node and nasal obstruction. Biopsy of a nasopharyngeal mass shows undifferentiated carcinoma cells with vesicular nuclei in syncytial sheets among abundant lymphocytes. Which virus is most strongly associated with this tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Epstein-Barr virus

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, especially the non-keratinising undifferentiated type with a lymphoid infiltrate, is nearly always EBV associated, and EBV-encoded RNA can be demonstrated in tumour cells by in situ hybridisation. Parts of north-east India have a high incidence.

Option by option

  • A. Human herpesvirus 8

    HHV-8 is linked to Kaposi sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma.

  • B. Epstein-Barr virus (correct)

    EBV is associated with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and with Burkitt lymphoma.

  • C. Human papillomavirus 16

    HPV 16 is linked to cervical, anogenital and a subset of oropharyngeal squamous carcinomas.

  • D. HTLV-1

    HTLV-1 is linked to adult T-cell leukaemia or lymphoma.

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 B, Epstein-Barr virus. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, especially the non-keratinising undifferentiated type with a lymphoid infiltrate, is nearly always EBV associated, and EBV-encoded RNA can be demonstrated in tumour cells by in situ hybridisation.

Why is "Human herpesvirus 8" not the answer?

HHV-8 is linked to Kaposi sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma.

Why is "Human papillomavirus 16" not the answer?

HPV 16 is linked to cervical, anogenital and a subset of oropharyngeal squamous carcinomas.

Why is "HTLV-1" not the answer?

HTLV-1 is linked to adult T-cell leukaemia or lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: Epstein-Barr virus associated tumours in Pathology. Parts of north-east India have a high incidence.

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 Neoplasia: Epstein-Barr virus associated tumours?

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.