Neoplasia: Gleason grading: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Neoplasia: Gleason grading

Sample item

A prostate biopsy shows adenocarcinoma where the most common pattern is Gleason 3 and the next most common is Gleason 4. How is this reported?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Gleason score 7 (3+4)

The Gleason score is the sum of the most prevalent pattern and the next most prevalent pattern. A 3+4 tumour is score 7 and carries a better prognosis than 4+3.

Option by option

  • A. Gleason score 7 (3+4) (correct)

    Correct. The primary pattern plus the secondary pattern gives 3+4 = 7.

  • B. Gleason score 12

    Scores run from 2 to 10, so 12 is not possible.

  • C. Gleason score 6 (3+3)

    Gleason score 6 would require both patterns to be 3.

  • D. Gleason score 8 (4+4)

    Gleason score 8 would need both patterns 4.

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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, Gleason score 7 (3+4). The Gleason score is the sum of the most prevalent pattern and the next most prevalent pattern.

Why is "Gleason score 12" not the answer?

Scores run from 2 to 10, so 12 is not possible.

Why is "Gleason score 6 (3+3)" not the answer?

Gleason score 6 would require both patterns to be 3.

Why is "Gleason score 8 (4+4)" not the answer?

Gleason score 8 would need both patterns 4.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: Gleason grading in Pathology. A 3+4 tumour is score 7 and carries a better prognosis than 4+3.

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 Neoplasia: Gleason grading?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.