Head and neck tumours: EBV DNA as a tumour marker: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Head and neck tumours: EBV DNA as a tumour marker

Sample item

After chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which marker is used to monitor response and detect recurrence?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Plasma EBV DNA load

Cell-free EBV DNA in plasma reflects tumour burden in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A persistent or rising level after treatment suggests residual or recurrent disease. AFP and CA 19-9 are markers of liver and pancreatobiliary tumours.

Option by option

  • A. Antibodies against HPV E6

    HPV E6 antibodies relate to HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer, not nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

  • B. Serum alpha-fetoprotein

    AFP is a marker of hepatocellular and germ cell tumours.

  • C. Plasma EBV DNA load (correct)

    Correct. Plasma EBV DNA tracks tumour burden in this EBV-driven cancer.

  • D. Serum CA 19-9

    CA 19-9 is used for pancreatobiliary cancers.

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.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Plasma EBV DNA load. Cell-free EBV DNA in plasma reflects tumour burden in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Why is "Antibodies against HPV E6" not the answer?

HPV E6 antibodies relate to HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer, not nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Why is "Serum alpha-fetoprotein" not the answer?

AFP is a marker of hepatocellular and germ cell tumours.

Why is "Serum CA 19-9" not the answer?

CA 19-9 is used for pancreatobiliary cancers.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: EBV DNA as a tumour marker in ENT. A persistent or rising level after treatment suggests residual or recurrent disease. AFP and CA 19-9 are markers of liver and pancreatobiliary tumours.

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 Head and neck tumours: EBV DNA as a tumour marker?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.