Oral medicine and oral cancer: numb chin syndrome: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Oral medicine and oral cancer: numb chin syndrome

Sample item

A woman treated for breast cancer reports numbness of the left lower lip and chin. Teeth are sound and there is no swelling or infection. What is the most important concern?

ATrigeminal neuralgiaBPeriapical abscess of a mandibular molarCBell palsyDMetastasis involving the mandible or inferior alveolar nerve

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Metastasis involving the mandible or inferior alveolar nerve

Numbness in the distribution of the mental nerve, with no dental cause, can be the first sign of metastatic tumour in the mandible or along the inferior alveolar nerve. Breast and lung carcinomas are common primaries. Imaging and biopsy are needed.

Option by option

A. Trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia causes paroxysmal lancinating pain, not constant numbness.
B. Periapical abscess of a mandibular molar
An abscess would show pain, swelling and a carious or non-vital tooth, which are absent.
C. Bell palsy
Bell palsy is a facial nerve palsy causing weakness, not numbness of the chin.
D. Metastasis involving the mandible or inferior alveolar nerve (correct)
Correct. Unexplained mental nerve numbness in a cancer patient suggests metastatic nerve or bone involvement.

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 Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is D, Metastasis involving the mandible or inferior alveolar nerve. Numbness in the distribution of the mental nerve, with no dental cause, can be the first sign of metastatic tumour in the mandible or along the inferior alveolar nerve.

Why is "Trigeminal neuralgia" not the answer?

Trigeminal neuralgia causes paroxysmal lancinating pain, not constant numbness.

Why is "Periapical abscess of a mandibular molar" not the answer?

An abscess would show pain, swelling and a carious or non-vital tooth, which are absent.

Why is "Bell palsy" not the answer?

Bell palsy is a facial nerve palsy causing weakness, not numbness of the chin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine and oral cancer: numb chin syndrome in Dentistry. Breast and lung carcinomas are common primaries. Imaging and biopsy are needed.

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 Oral medicine and oral cancer: numb chin syndrome?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.