Neoplasia: arsenic carcinogenesis: 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: arsenic carcinogenesis

Sample item

Villagers drinking groundwater contaminated with arsenic for years develop hyperkeratotic palms and raindrop-pattern pigmentation. Which malignancy are they at greatly increased risk of?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Chronic arsenic exposure causes keratoses and hyperpigmentation, and raises the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen disease, and cancers of the lung and bladder.

Option by option

  • A. Medullary thyroid carcinoma

    Medullary thyroid carcinoma is linked to RET mutations.

  • B. Osteosarcoma

    Osteosarcoma is linked to Paget disease, radiation and retinoblastoma.

  • C. Seminoma

    Seminoma is linked to cryptorchidism.

  • D. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (correct)

    Correct. Arsenic is a well-established cause of skin squamous carcinoma.

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 D, Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Chronic arsenic exposure causes keratoses and hyperpigmentation, and raises the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen disease, and cancers of the lung and bladder.

Why is "Medullary thyroid carcinoma" not the answer?

Medullary thyroid carcinoma is linked to RET mutations.

Why is "Osteosarcoma" not the answer?

Osteosarcoma is linked to Paget disease, radiation and retinoblastoma.

Why is "Seminoma" not the answer?

Seminoma is linked to cryptorchidism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: arsenic carcinogenesis in Pathology. The correct option holds because: Correct. Arsenic is a well-established cause of skin squamous carcinoma.

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: arsenic carcinogenesis?

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.