Neoplasia: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: 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: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

Sample item

A 62-year-old smoker has painful swollen wrists and ankles, digital clubbing and periosteal new bone on radiographs of the long bones. What is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bronchogenic carcinoma

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (clubbing, periostitis, arthritis) is a paraneoplastic syndrome seen with lung cancer, particularly non-small cell, and also with chronic suppurative lung disease and cyanotic heart disease. Resolving the primary tumour often relieves the symptoms.

Option by option

  • A. Osteosarcoma of the femur

    A bone sarcoma is a local lesion and does not cause diffuse periostitis.

  • B. Bronchogenic carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. Lung carcinoma is the commonest neoplastic cause of this syndrome.

  • C. Rheumatoid arthritis

    Rheumatoid arthritis causes erosions and does not produce clubbing and periosteal new bone.

  • D. Gout

    Gout causes episodic crystal arthritis with tophi.

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 B, Bronchogenic carcinoma. Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (clubbing, periostitis, arthritis) is a paraneoplastic syndrome seen with lung cancer, particularly non-small cell, and also with chronic suppurative lung disease and cyanotic heart disease.

Why is "Osteosarcoma of the femur" not the answer?

A bone sarcoma is a local lesion and does not cause diffuse periostitis.

Why is "Rheumatoid arthritis" not the answer?

Rheumatoid arthritis causes erosions and does not produce clubbing and periosteal new bone.

Why is "Gout" not the answer?

Gout causes episodic crystal arthritis with tophi.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in Pathology. Resolving the primary tumour often relieves the symptoms.

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: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy?

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.