Nose and paranasal sinuses: sinonasal plasmacytoma: 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.

Try it

ENT · Nose and paranasal sinuses: sinonasal plasmacytoma

Sample item

A 58-year-old has unilateral nasal obstruction and bleeding. Biopsy of a polypoid mass shows monoclonal plasma cells. Skeletal survey, marrow biopsy and serum electrophoresis are normal. What is the treatment of choice?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Radical radiotherapy

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the upper aerodigestive tract is highly radiosensitive, and local radiotherapy gives long-term control. Patients need follow-up since some progress to multiple myeloma. Surgery is reserved for small accessible lesions or biopsy.

Option by option

  • A. Autologous stem cell transplantation

    Stem cell transplantation is reserved for multiple myeloma.

  • B. Radical radiotherapy (correct)

    Correct. Isolated extramedullary plasmacytoma is highly radiosensitive and treated with radical radiotherapy.

  • C. Systemic combination chemotherapy

    Systemic chemotherapy is for multiple myeloma and is not first line for a solitary lesion.

  • D. Radical maxillectomy

    Radical maxillectomy is overtreatment for a radiosensitive tumour.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Radical radiotherapy. Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the upper aerodigestive tract is highly radiosensitive, and local radiotherapy gives long-term control.

Why is "Autologous stem cell transplantation" not the answer?

Stem cell transplantation is reserved for multiple myeloma.

Why is "Systemic combination chemotherapy" not the answer?

Systemic chemotherapy is for multiple myeloma and is not first line for a solitary lesion.

Why is "Radical maxillectomy" not the answer?

Radical maxillectomy is overtreatment for a radiosensitive tumour.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: sinonasal plasmacytoma in ENT. Patients need follow-up since some progress to multiple myeloma. Surgery is reserved for small accessible lesions or biopsy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Nose and paranasal sinuses: sinonasal plasmacytoma?

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.