Nasopharynx: NPC treatment: 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 · Nasopharynx: NPC treatment

Sample item

What is the primary treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Radiotherapy, with concurrent chemotherapy for advanced disease

The nasopharynx is difficult to access surgically and the tumour is radiosensitive, so radiotherapy is the mainstay. Concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation is used for locoregionally advanced disease. Surgery is reserved for residual or recurrent disease.

Option by option

  • A. Observation

    Untreated disease progresses.

  • B. Chemotherapy alone

    Chemotherapy alone is not curative.

  • C. Radiotherapy, with concurrent chemotherapy for advanced disease (correct)

    Correct. Radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy is the primary treatment.

  • D. Radical surgery to the nasopharynx

    Surgery is not preferred because of the location.

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, Radiotherapy, with concurrent chemotherapy for advanced disease. The nasopharynx is difficult to access surgically and the tumour is radiosensitive, so radiotherapy is the mainstay.

Why is "Observation" not the answer?

Untreated disease progresses.

Why is "Chemotherapy alone" not the answer?

Chemotherapy alone is not curative.

Why is "Radical surgery to the nasopharynx" not the answer?

Surgery is not preferred because of the location.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nasopharynx: NPC treatment in ENT. Concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation is used for locoregionally advanced disease. Surgery is reserved for residual or recurrent disease.

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 Nasopharynx: NPC treatment?

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.