Urology: PSA after radical prostatectomy: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Urology: PSA after radical prostatectomy

Sample item

Two years after radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer, a man's PSA, undetectable since surgery, is now rising on serial tests. What does this indicate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Biochemical recurrence

After a successful radical prostatectomy all prostate tissue is removed, so PSA should be undetectable. A rising PSA means residual or recurrent cancer, which is called biochemical recurrence.

Option by option

  • A. Normal effect of the surgery

    PSA should be undetectable after successful surgery.

  • B. Benign prostatic hyperplasia

    The prostate has been removed, so BPH cannot be the cause.

  • C. Biochemical recurrence (correct)

    Correct. Detectable and rising PSA after prostatectomy signals recurrence.

  • D. Prostatitis

    Prostatitis cannot occur after prostatectomy.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Biochemical recurrence. After a successful radical prostatectomy all prostate tissue is removed, so PSA should be undetectable.

Why is "Normal effect of the surgery" not the answer?

PSA should be undetectable after successful surgery.

Why is "Benign prostatic hyperplasia" not the answer?

The prostate has been removed, so BPH cannot be the cause.

Why is "Prostatitis" not the answer?

Prostatitis cannot occur after prostatectomy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Urology: PSA after radical prostatectomy in General Surgery. A rising PSA means residual or recurrent cancer, which is called biochemical recurrence.

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 Urology: PSA after radical prostatectomy?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.