ENT Oncology — MCQs

ENT Oncology Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 21: What is the 'T' staging for glottic cancer with fixed vocal cords?

A. T1
B. T2
C. T3 (Correct Answer)
D. T4

Explanation: **Explanation:** The TNM staging for Glottic Cancer is a high-yield topic for NEET-PG. The correct answer is **T3** because the defining clinical feature of T3 glottic carcinoma is **vocal cord fixation**. **1. Why T3 is correct:** According to the AJCC 8th Edition, T3 glottic cancer is defined by a tumor limited to the larynx with **vocal cord fixation** and/or invasion of the paraglottic space, or inner cortex of the thyroid cartilage. Vocal cord fixation occurs when the tumor deeply infiltrates the thyroarytenoid muscle or involves the cricoarytenoid joint, preventing movement. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **T1:** The tumor is limited to the vocal cord(s) with **normal mobility**. (T1a: one cord; T1b: both cords). * **T2:** The tumor extends to the supraglottis or subglottis, with **impaired vocal cord mobility** (paretic/sluggish), but NOT complete fixation. * **T4:** This represents advanced disease with extralaryngeal spread. **T4a** involves invasion through the thyroid cartilage or into tissues beyond the larynx (e.g., trachea, thyroid, esophagus). **T4b** involves the prevertebral space or encasement of the carotid artery. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Most common site** of laryngeal cancer: Glottis (vocal cords). * **Best prognosis:** Glottic cancer (due to early symptoms like hoarseness and sparse lymphatic drainage). * **Management Hint:** T1 and T2 are usually managed with radiotherapy or endoscopic laser excision; T3 often requires radiotherapy or total laryngectomy depending on the extent. * **Key Distinction:** Sluggish movement = T2; Fixed cord = T3.

Question 22: Trotter's triad is seen in which condition?

A. Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma
B. Nasal polyposis
C. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Correct Answer)
D. Acoustic neuroma

Explanation: **Explanation:** **Trotter’s Triad** is a classic clinical diagnostic cluster associated with the lateral spread of **Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)**, specifically when the tumor involves the sinus of Morgagni. The triad consists of: 1. **Conductive Hearing Loss:** Caused by Eustachian tube blockage leading to serous otitis media (Otitis Media with Effusion). 2. **Ipsilateral Temporofacial Neuralgia:** Due to involvement of the Mandibular nerve (V3) as it exits the foramen ovale, causing pain in the lower jaw and temple. 3. **Palatal Paralysis/Immobility:** Resulting from infiltration of the Levator veli palatini muscle. **Analysis of Options:** * **Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (Option A):** A benign but aggressive vascular tumor in adolescent males. It typically presents with painless, profuse epistaxis and nasal obstruction, not the specific neurological/palatal findings of Trotter's triad. * **Nasal Polyposis (Option B):** Presents with bilateral nasal obstruction and anosmia. It does not involve deep tissue infiltration or cranial nerve deficits. * **Acoustic Neuroma (Option C):** Presents with sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo (Cranial Nerve VIII involvement), often progressing to CN V and VII deficits, but does not cause palatal paralysis or conductive loss. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **EBV Association:** Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr Virus. * **Fossa of Rosenmüller:** The most common site of origin for NPC. * **Nodal Involvement:** The most common presenting symptom is often a painless neck mass (level II/upper deep cervical nodes). * **Treatment of Choice:** Radiotherapy is the primary treatment for NPC as it is highly radiosensitive.

Question 23: What is the treatment of choice for T3N0M0 stage III carcinoma of the maxilla?

A. Radiotherapy
B. Surgery + Radiotherapy (Correct Answer)
C. Chemotherapy
D. Chemotherapy + Surgery

Explanation: **Explanation:** The management of Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma is primarily determined by the stage and the anatomical extent of the tumor. For **T3N0M0 (Stage III)** disease, the standard of care is **Combined Modality Therapy**, specifically **Surgery followed by Post-operative Radiotherapy (PORT).** 1. **Why Surgery + Radiotherapy is correct:** Maxillary tumors are often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the "silent" nature of the sinus cavity. T3 lesions involve bony structures (posterior wall, floor/medial wall of orbit, or pterygoid fossa). Surgery (Total Maxillectomy) is required to achieve local control, but because these areas have complex anatomy with a high risk of microscopic residual disease, adjuvant Radiotherapy is mandatory to reduce recurrence rates and improve survival. 2. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Radiotherapy alone:** This is generally reserved for palliative cases or patients unfit for surgery. Maxillary squamous cell carcinomas are relatively radioresistant, and RT alone has poor control rates for T3/T4 lesions. * **Chemotherapy:** Chemotherapy is not the primary treatment for maxillary cancer. It may be used as "Induction Chemotherapy" in very advanced cases or as "Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy" for unresectable tumors, but it does not replace surgery in resectable T3 cases. * **Chemotherapy + Surgery:** While sometimes used in protocols, the gold standard adjuvant treatment following surgery for Stage III/IV is Radiotherapy, not chemotherapy alone. **High-Yield Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Ohngren’s Line:** An imaginary line connecting the medial canthus to the angle of the mandible. Tumors **posterosuperior** to this line have a worse prognosis. * **Most common histology:** Squamous Cell Carcinoma. * **Most common site:** Maxillary Antrum (Sinus). * **Early sign:** Nasal obstruction or epistaxis. * **Late sign:** Cheek swelling, proptosis, or palatal ulceration.

Question 24: Epstein Barr virus is associated with which of the following carcinomas?

A. Carcinoma of the larynx
B. Carcinoma of the bladder
C. Carcinoma of the nasopharynx (Correct Answer)
D. Carcinoma of the maxilla

Explanation: **Explanation:** **Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)**, particularly the undifferentiated type (WHO Type 3), has a strong and consistent causal association with the **Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)**. The virus infects the nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, and the expression of viral proteins like LMP-1 (Latent Membrane Protein-1) promotes oncogenesis by inhibiting apoptosis and stimulating cell proliferation. * **Why Option C is correct:** EBV DNA is found in almost 100% of undifferentiated NPC cases regardless of geographical location. It is especially prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Serum titers of IgA antibodies against EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) are used as a diagnostic and screening marker. * **Why Options A, B, and D are incorrect:** * **Carcinoma of the larynx and maxilla:** These are primarily associated with risk factors like tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and certain strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), but not EBV. * **Carcinoma of the bladder:** This is strongly linked to smoking, occupational exposure to aromatic amines (aniline dyes), and *Schistosoma haematobium* infection. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** 1. **Bimodal Age Distribution:** NPC shows two peaks—one in adolescence/young adulthood and another in the 5th–6th decades. 2. **Trotter’s Triad:** Conductive hearing loss (due to Eustachian tube blockage), Ipsilateral palatal paralysis, and Trigeminal neuralgia (V2 involvement). 3. **Fossa of Rosenmüller:** The most common site of origin for NPC. 4. **Treatment of Choice:** Radiotherapy is the primary treatment as NPC is highly radiosensitive. 5. **Other EBV Associations:** Burkitt Lymphoma, Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Oral Hairy Leukoplakia.

Question 25: Which of the following statements is NOT true about nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

A. It has a bimodal age distribution.
B. EBV is implicated as an etiological agent.
C. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type.
D. Nasopharyngectomy and lymph node dissection are the mainstay of treatment. (Correct Answer)

Explanation: **Explanation:** **1. Why Option D is the correct (False) statement:** Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is uniquely **radiosensitive and chemosensitive**. Therefore, the mainstay of treatment is **Radiotherapy (RT)** for early stages and **Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CCRT)** for advanced stages. Surgery (Nasopharyngectomy) is technically difficult due to the anatomical location (clivus/skull base) and is reserved only for salvage cases or localized recurrence. Unlike other head and neck cancers, radical neck dissection is not the primary approach because nodal metastases respond excellently to radiation. **2. Analysis of other options:** * **Option A:** NPC shows a **bimodal age distribution**, with peaks in the 2nd decade (adolescents) and the 5th–6th decades of life. * **Option B:** **Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)** is strongly associated with Type II and Type III NPC. Serum markers like IgA antibodies against Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) are used for screening and monitoring. * **Option C:** According to the WHO classification, **Squamous Cell Carcinoma** (specifically Type III: Undifferentiated Carcinoma) is the most common histological variant worldwide and carries the strongest association with EBV. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Fossa of Rosenmüller:** The most common site of origin. * **Trotter’s Triad:** 1. Conductive hearing loss (due to Eustachian tube blockage), 2. Ipsilateral temporoparietal neuralgia (V2 nerve involvement), 3. Palatal paralysis (X nerve involvement). * **Presentation:** The most common presenting symptom is a **painless upper cervical lymph node mass** (Level II/III). * **Histology:** WHO Type I (Keratinizing SCC), Type II (Non-keratinizing), Type III (Undifferentiated/Lymphoepithelioma). Type III has the best prognosis due to high radiosensitivity.

Question 26: Ohngren's line is seen in which of the following conditions?

A. Carcinoma of the maxilla (Correct Answer)
B. Carcinoma of the ethmoid
C. Carcinoma of the mandible
D. Carcinoma of the larynx

Explanation: **Explanation:** **Ohngren’s line** is a theoretical plane used to determine the prognosis of **Carcinoma of the Maxilla**. It is an imaginary line connecting the medial canthus of the eye to the angle of the mandible. 1. **Why Option A is Correct:** This line divides the maxillary sinus into two segments: * **Anterosuperior (Suprastructure):** Tumors located here have a **poorer prognosis** because they are closer to vital structures like the orbit, ethmoids, and the skull base. * **Posteroinferior (Infrastructure):** Tumors here have a **better prognosis** as they are more accessible and further from the cranial base. 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option B (Ethmoid):** While maxillary tumors can spread to the ethmoids, Ohngren’s line specifically categorizes maxillary sinus malignancy. * **Option C (Mandible):** Mandibular tumors are classified based on their location (symphysis, body, ramus) and TNM staging, not Ohngren’s line. * **Option D (Larynx):** Laryngeal cancers are classified by anatomical subsites (Supraglottis, Glottis, Subglottis). **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Lederman’s Classification:** Another system for maxillary tumors using two horizontal lines (passing through the floor of the orbit and the floor of the antrum) to divide the area into infrastructure, mesostructure, and suprastructure. * **Most common histology:** Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the maxillary antrum. * **Early Sign:** The most common early symptom of maxillary CA is often nasal obstruction or epistaxis, but it frequently presents late with cheek swelling or palatal bulging.

Question 27: Ohgren's line passes from which anatomical landmarks?

A. Medial canthus to the angle of the mandible (Correct Answer)
B. Lateral canthus to the angle of the mandible
C. Medial canthus to the mastoid process
D. Lateral canthus to the mastoid process

Explanation: **Explanation** **Ohgren’s line** is a theoretical plane used in ENT oncology to determine the prognosis of maxillary sinus tumors. It is an imaginary line extending from the **medial canthus of the eye to the angle of the mandible.** **1. Why Option A is Correct:** This line divides the maxillary sinus into two distinct clinical zones: * **Anteroinferior (Infrastructure):** Tumors located below and in front of this line generally have a **better prognosis** because they are more accessible surgically and present earlier with dental or cheek symptoms. * **Posterosuperior (Suprastructure):** Tumors located above and behind this line have a **poorer prognosis** due to early involvement of critical structures like the ethmoid sinuses, orbit, pterygopalatine fossa, and the base of the skull. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Options B & D (Lateral Canthus):** The lateral canthus is not used for Ohgren’s line. Using the lateral canthus would shift the plane too far posteriorly, failing to capture the clinically significant division of the maxillary antrum. * **Options C & D (Mastoid Process):** The mastoid process is located too far posterior to the maxillary sinus. A line drawn to the mastoid would not accurately bisect the sinus for prognostic staging. **3. Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Lederman’s Classification:** Another high-yield system that uses two horizontal lines (passing through the floor of the orbit and the floor of the antrum) to divide the area into infrastructure, mesostructure, and suprastructure. * **Most common histology:** Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the maxillary sinus. * **Early Symptom:** Most maxillary tumors are asymptomatic in early stages; "unilateral nasal obstruction" or "blood-stained discharge" are common presenting complaints.

Question 28: Prophylactic radiotherapy to the neck is given in which of the following malignancies with palpable swelling?

A. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Correct Answer)
B. Laryngeal carcinoma
C. Sinuses malignancy
D. Tongue carcinoma

Explanation: **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)**. **Why Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is correct:** Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is unique among head and neck cancers due to its **exceedingly high rate of lymphatic spread**. Even in the absence of clinically palpable nodes (N0 neck), the risk of occult metastasis is approximately 75–90%. Furthermore, NPC is highly **radiosensitive**. Therefore, elective (prophylactic) irradiation of the bilateral neck (Levels II-V and retropharyngeal nodes) is the standard of care for all cases, regardless of whether nodes are palpable, to prevent regional recurrence. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Laryngeal Carcinoma:** Management of the neck depends strictly on the sub-site and stage. Early glottic cancers have negligible lymphatic drainage and do not require prophylactic treatment. * **Sinuses Malignancy:** Maxillary and ethmoid sinus tumors have relatively sparse lymphatic drainage. Prophylactic neck treatment is generally not indicated unless the tumor involves the oral cavity or skin. * **Tongue Carcinoma:** While tongue cancers have a high rate of nodal metastasis, the primary treatment for a N0 neck is usually elective neck dissection (surgical) rather than prophylactic radiotherapy, especially if the primary tumor is being managed surgically. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **EBV Association:** NPC (especially Type II and III) is strongly associated with the Epstein-Barr Virus. * **Fossa of Rosenmüller:** This is the most common site of origin for NPC. * **Trotter’s Triad:** Conductive hearing loss (due to ET blockage), palatal paralysis, and trigeminal neuralgia (ipsilateral) are classic signs of NPC. * **Treatment of Choice:** Radiotherapy is the primary treatment for both the primary tumor and the neck in NPC.

Question 29: What is the most common malignancy found in the maxillary sinus?

A. Squamous cell carcinoma (Correct Answer)
B. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
C. Adenoid cystic carcinoma
D. Adenocarcinoma

Explanation: **Explanation:** **1. Why Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is correct:** Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the paranasal sinuses, accounting for approximately **80% of all cases**. Within the paranasal sinuses, the **maxillary sinus** is the most frequently involved site (about 70%). The Schneiderian membrane (pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium) lining the sinus undergoes squamous metaplasia due to chronic irritation or environmental triggers, eventually progressing to SCC. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma:** This is the second most common malignancy of the maxillary sinus. It is known for its **perineural invasion** and "skip lesions," but it is significantly less frequent than SCC. * **Adenocarcinoma:** This is more commonly associated with the **ethmoid sinuses**, particularly in individuals with occupational exposure to **wood dust**. * **Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma:** While it is the most common malignant tumor of the salivary glands, it is a rare primary finding in the paranasal sinuses. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Ohngren’s Line:** An imaginary line connecting the medial canthus to the angle of the mandible. Tumors **posterosuperior** to this line have a poorer prognosis due to early involvement of the skull base and orbit. * **Clinical Presentation:** Most patients present with "cheek swelling" or "unilateral nasal obstruction." A high-yield sign is **loosening of upper molar teeth** or ill-fitting dentures, indicating erosion of the floor of the sinus (alveolar process). * **Staging:** The T-staging of maxillary sinus tumors is unique as it relies heavily on the involvement of specific bony walls (e.g., Infrastructure vs. Suprastructure).

Question 30: Which of the following lesions is considered a doubtful premalignant lesion for oral malignancy?

A. Leukoplakia
B. Chronic hyperplastic candidiasis
C. Erythroplakia
D. Oral lichen planus (Correct Answer)

Explanation: **Explanation:** The classification of oral premalignant lesions is based on their potential for malignant transformation. In clinical practice, these are categorized into **precancerous lesions** (morphologically altered tissue) and **precancerous conditions** (generalized states associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer). **Why Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is the correct answer:** OLP is classified as a **precancerous condition**. It is considered a "doubtful" or controversial premalignant lesion because its malignant transformation rate is very low (0.5% to 2%). Many experts argue that cases of OLP that turn into squamous cell carcinoma were actually "lichenoid dysplasia" from the outset. Due to this clinical ambiguity and low transformation rate compared to other lesions, it is often termed a doubtful premalignant lesion. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Leukoplakia (Option A):** The most common precancerous lesion. While most are benign, it has a definitive transformation rate of 3–5%. * **Chronic Hyperplastic Candidiasis (Option B):** Also known as Candidal Leukoplakia, it has a high malignant transformation rate (approx. 10–15%) and is a well-established premalignant lesion. * **Erythroplakia (Option C):** This is the **most dangerous** premalignant lesion. It has the highest transformation rate (>50%), with many cases already showing cellular atypia or carcinoma in situ at the time of biopsy. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Highest malignant potential:** Erythroplakia. * **Most common site for Oral Cancer:** Lateral border of the tongue. * **Speckled Leukoplakia:** A mix of red and white patches; carries a higher risk than homogenous leukoplakia. * **Patterson-Kelly (Plummer-Vinson) Syndrome:** A precancerous condition associated with post-cricoid carcinoma.

Practice by Chapter

Staging of Head and Neck Cancer

Practice Questions

Oral Cavity Cancer

Practice Questions

Oropharyngeal Cancer and HPV

Practice Questions

Laryngeal Cancer

Practice Questions

Hypopharyngeal Cancer

Practice Questions

Sinonasal Malignancies

Practice Questions

Salivary Gland Neoplasms

Practice Questions

Thyroid Cancer

Practice Questions

Paragangliomas

Practice Questions

Principles of Radiation Therapy

Practice Questions

Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy

Practice Questions

Surveillance and Survivorship

Practice Questions

Want unlimited practice?

Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.

Start For Free