Systemic pathology: insulinoma: 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 · Systemic pathology: insulinoma

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman has episodes of confusion relieved by sugar. During a fast, glucose is low with inappropriately high insulin and C-peptide. A 1.5 cm pancreatic tumour is resected. Which stromal feature is characteristic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Amyloid deposition

Insulinomas are well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours of beta cells, and many show amyloid deposits derived from islet amyloid polypeptide. Most are solitary, small and benign, and surgical enucleation is curative.

Option by option

  • A. Dense fibrous capsule with calcification

    Calcified fibrous capsule is not a defining feature of insulinoma.

  • B. Psammoma bodies

    Psammoma bodies are typical of papillary thyroid carcinoma, meningioma and serous ovarian tumours.

  • C. Amyloid deposition (correct)

    Correct. Amyloid derived from islet amyloid polypeptide is a characteristic finding in insulinomas.

  • D. Extensive coagulative necrosis

    Extensive necrosis would suggest a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, not a benign insulinoma.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is C, Amyloid deposition. Insulinomas are well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours of beta cells, and many show amyloid deposits derived from islet amyloid polypeptide.

Why is "Dense fibrous capsule with calcification" not the answer?

Calcified fibrous capsule is not a defining feature of insulinoma.

Why is "Psammoma bodies" not the answer?

Psammoma bodies are typical of papillary thyroid carcinoma, meningioma and serous ovarian tumours.

Why is "Extensive coagulative necrosis" not the answer?

Extensive necrosis would suggest a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, not a benign insulinoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: insulinoma in Pathology. Most are solitary, small and benign, and surgical enucleation is curative.

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 Systemic pathology: insulinoma?

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.