Oral pathology: pleomorphic adenoma: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Oral pathology: pleomorphic adenoma

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman has a painless, slowly growing mobile mass in the parotid for years. What is the most likely tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pleomorphic adenoma

Pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest salivary tumour, usually in the parotid, with epithelial and myxochondroid components. Enucleation risks recurrence, so superficial parotidectomy is preferred.

Option by option

  • A. Adenoid cystic carcinoma

    Adenoid cystic carcinoma tends to cause pain and perineural invasion.

  • B. Pleomorphic adenoma (correct)

    Correct. This is the commonest salivary neoplasm.

  • C. Warthin tumour

    Warthin tumour occurs in older male smokers and is often bilateral.

  • D. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

    Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is often faster growing.

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 Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Pleomorphic adenoma. Pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest salivary tumour, usually in the parotid, with epithelial and myxochondroid components.

Why is "Adenoid cystic carcinoma" not the answer?

Adenoid cystic carcinoma tends to cause pain and perineural invasion.

Why is "Warthin tumour" not the answer?

Warthin tumour occurs in older male smokers and is often bilateral.

Why is "Mucoepidermoid carcinoma" not the answer?

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is often faster growing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: pleomorphic adenoma in Dentistry. Enucleation risks recurrence, so superficial parotidectomy is preferred.

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 Oral pathology: pleomorphic adenoma?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.