Head and neck tumours: PET-CT after chemoradiotherapy: 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 · Head and neck tumours: PET-CT after chemoradiotherapy

Sample item

A man completes chemoradiotherapy for oropharyngeal squamous carcinoma. Which investigation at about 12 weeks best assesses response and need for neck dissection?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. PET-CT

PET-CT at about 12 weeks after treatment has a high negative predictive value and avoids needless neck dissection when negative. Earlier scans give false positives from inflammation.

Option by option

  • A. Barium swallow

    Barium swallow assesses function, not tumour response.

  • B. Plain neck radiograph

    A plain radiograph cannot assess nodal residual disease.

  • C. PET-CT (correct)

    Correct. PET-CT at about 12 weeks assesses residual disease and guides neck dissection.

  • D. Serum thyroglobulin

    Thyroglobulin monitors differentiated thyroid cancer.

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, PET-CT. PET-CT at about 12 weeks after treatment has a high negative predictive value and avoids needless neck dissection when negative.

Why is "Barium swallow" not the answer?

Barium swallow assesses function, not tumour response.

Why is "Plain neck radiograph" not the answer?

A plain radiograph cannot assess nodal residual disease.

Why is "Serum thyroglobulin" not the answer?

Thyroglobulin monitors differentiated thyroid cancer.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: PET-CT after chemoradiotherapy in ENT. Earlier scans give false positives from inflammation.

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 Head and neck tumours: PET-CT after chemoradiotherapy?

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.