Haematology: Plummer-Vinson 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.

Try it

Pathology · Haematology: Plummer-Vinson syndrome

Sample item

A 45-year-old woman with long-standing iron deficiency anaemia has dysphagia for solids. Barium swallow shows a thin web in the upper oesophagus. Which malignancy is she at increased risk of?

AAdenocarcinoma of the lower oesophagusBCarcinoid tumour of the small bowelCSquamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx or oesophagusDGastric adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx or oesophagus

Plummer-Vinson (Paterson-Brown-Kelly) syndrome is the triad of iron deficiency anaemia, dysphagia and an upper oesophageal web. It is premalignant for squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx and oesophagus. Treatment is iron replacement, with dilatation of the web if needed.

Option by option

A. Adenocarcinoma of the lower oesophagus
Lower oesophageal adenocarcinoma follows Barrett oesophagus caused by reflux.
B. Carcinoid tumour of the small bowel
Small bowel carcinoid is not linked to oesophageal webs or iron deficiency.
C. Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx or oesophagus (correct)
Correct. The syndrome predisposes to squamous cell carcinoma in the upper aerodigestive tract.
D. Gastric adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type
Intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma follows H. pylori gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is C, Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx or oesophagus. Plummer-Vinson (Paterson-Brown-Kelly) syndrome is the triad of iron deficiency anaemia, dysphagia and an upper oesophageal web.

Why is "Adenocarcinoma of the lower oesophagus" not the answer?

Lower oesophageal adenocarcinoma follows Barrett oesophagus caused by reflux.

Why is "Carcinoid tumour of the small bowel" not the answer?

Small bowel carcinoid is not linked to oesophageal webs or iron deficiency.

Why is "Gastric adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type" not the answer?

Intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma follows H. pylori gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: Plummer-Vinson syndrome in Pathology. It is premalignant for squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx and oesophagus. Treatment is iron replacement, with dilatation of the web if needed.

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 Haematology: Plummer-Vinson 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.