Haematology: anaplastic large cell lymphoma: 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: anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Sample item

A 17-year-old boy has lymphadenopathy and skin nodules. Node biopsy shows cohesive sheets of large cells with horseshoe-shaped nuclei that are strongly CD30 positive. Which translocation is expected in a favourable-prognosis form?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. t(2;5)

ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma carries t(2;5) producing an NPM-ALK fusion. It occurs in younger patients and has a better prognosis than the ALK-negative form.

Option by option

  • A. t(11;14)

    t(11;14) causes cyclin D1 overexpression in mantle cell lymphoma.

  • B. t(8;14)

    t(8;14) places MYC next to the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in Burkitt lymphoma.

  • C. t(2;5) (correct)

    Correct. t(2;5) fuses NPM with ALK, defining the ALK-positive form with a favourable prognosis.

  • D. t(14;18)

    t(14;18) causes BCL2 overexpression in follicular lymphoma.

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 C, t(2;5). ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma carries t(2;5) producing an NPM-ALK fusion.

Why is "t(11;14)" not the answer?

t(11;14) causes cyclin D1 overexpression in mantle cell lymphoma.

Why is "t(8;14)" not the answer?

t(8;14) places MYC next to the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in Burkitt lymphoma.

Why is "t(14;18)" not the answer?

t(14;18) causes BCL2 overexpression in follicular lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: anaplastic large cell lymphoma in Pathology. It occurs in younger patients and has a better prognosis than the ALK-negative form.

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: anaplastic large cell lymphoma?

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.