CNS: oligodendroglioma: 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 · CNS: oligodendroglioma

Sample item

A 38-year-old man presents with seizures. MRI shows a calcified frontal lobe tumour. Histology shows uniform round nuclei with perinuclear halos and a delicate chicken-wire capillary network. Which molecular finding defines this tumour and predicts chemosensitivity?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. IDH mutation with 1p/19q codeletion

Oligodendroglioma is defined by IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion. Codeleted tumours respond well to procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Frontal location, calcification and seizures are typical clinical features.

Option by option

  • A. IDH mutation with 1p/19q codeletion (correct)

    Correct. IDH mutation with 1p/19q codeletion defines oligodendroglioma.

  • B. BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion

    BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion is characteristic of pilocytic astrocytoma.

  • C. H3 K27M mutation

    H3 K27M mutation defines diffuse midline glioma in children, such as brainstem tumours.

  • D. EGFR amplification with PTEN loss

    EGFR amplification with PTEN loss is a feature of IDH-wild-type glioblastoma.

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, IDH mutation with 1p/19q codeletion. Oligodendroglioma is defined by IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion.

Why is "BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion" not the answer?

BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion is characteristic of pilocytic astrocytoma.

Why is "H3 K27M mutation" not the answer?

H3 K27M mutation defines diffuse midline glioma in children, such as brainstem tumours.

Why is "EGFR amplification with PTEN loss" not the answer?

EGFR amplification with PTEN loss is a feature of IDH-wild-type glioblastoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests CNS: oligodendroglioma in Pathology. Codeleted tumours respond well to procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Frontal location, calcification and seizures are typical clinical features.

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 CNS: oligodendroglioma?

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.