General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: CA 125 is used for what purpose?

Follow-up of ovarian cancer. **CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125)** is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein primarily used as a tumor marker for **non-mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors**. [1] 1. **Why Option A is Correct:** The primary clinical utility of CA 125 lies in **monitoring the response to therapy** and **detecting the recurrence** (follow-up) of ovarian cancer. [1] A significant drop in levels post-surgery or chemotherapy indicates a good response, while a subsequent rise often precedes clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence by months. 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option D (Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer):** CA 125 is **not** used for primary diagnosis or screening in the general population because it lacks specificity. [1] It can be elevated in various non-malignant conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pregnancy, and menstruation. * **Options B & C (Pancreatic and Stomach Cancer):** While CA 125 can be elevated in various intra-abdominal malignancies due to peritoneal irritation, it is not the marker of choice. **CA 19-9** is the specific marker for pancreatic cancer, and **CEA** is more commonly associated with gastric malignancies. [1] **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Most sensitive marker for Ovarian Cancer:** CA 125 (specifically for Serous Cystadenocarcinoma). * **Marker for Mucinous Ovarian Tumors:** CEA (CA 125 is often normal). * **Marker for Yolk Sac Tumor:** Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). * **Marker for Dysgerminoma:** LDH. * **Marker for Granulosa Cell Tumor:** Inhibin. * **Meigs Syndrome:** Characterized by the triad of ovarian fibroma, ascites, and pleural effusion; it can cause a "false positive" elevation of CA 125. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Neoplasia, pp. 344-346.

Q: Ectopic rest of normal tissue is known as?

Choristoma. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **A. Choristoma**. A **Choristoma** is defined as a mass of histologically normal tissue present in an abnormal anatomical location (ectopic rest) [1]. It is a developmental anomaly rather than a true neoplasm [1]. A classic clinical example is a nodule of normal pancreatic tissue found in the submucosa of the stomach or small intestine. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **B. Hamartoma:** This is a focal overgrowth of cells and tissues native to the organ in which it occurs (e.g., a pulmonary hamartoma containing cartilage, bronchial epithelium, and fat). Unlike a choristoma, the tissue is in its **correct** location but is disorganized. * **C. Pseudotumor:** This is a general clinical term for a non-neoplastic mass that mimics a tumor (e.g., inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor or an abscess). It does not specifically refer to ectopic tissue. * **D. Lymphoma:** This is a malignant neoplasm of lymphoid tissue. It is a true malignancy, not a developmental rest. **High-Yield Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Choristoma = Ectopic/Heterotopic tissue** (Normal tissue, Wrong place) [1]. * **Hamartoma = Disorganized tissue** (Normal tissue, Right place). * Both Choristomas and Hamartomas end in the suffix "-oma" but are **benign developmental malformations**, not true neoplasms [1]. * Common Choristoma: **Meckel’s Diverticulum** containing gastric mucosa [1]. * Common Hamartoma: **Bile duct hamartoma** (Von Meyenburg complex) or **Hypothalamic hamartoma**. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Gastrointestinal Tract, pp. 757-759.

Q: Patau syndrome is caused by which chromosomal abnormality?

Trisomy 13. **Explanation:** **Patau syndrome** is a severe genetic disorder caused by **Trisomy 13** (the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 13) [1]. It is the least common and most severe of the three viable autosomal trisomies. The underlying mechanism is usually **meiotic non-disjunction**, most frequently associated with advanced maternal age. **Analysis of Options:** * **Trisomy 13 (Correct):** Characterized by a classic triad of **Microphthalmia, Cleft lip/palate, and Polydactyly** [1]. It also involves severe CNS malformations like holoprosencephaly and scalp defects (aplasia cutis congenita). * **Trisomy 21 (Option A):** This is **Down Syndrome**, the most common autosomal trisomy [1]. Key features include Brushfield spots, Simian crease, and early-onset Alzheimer’s. * **Trisomy 18 (Option B):** This is **Edwards Syndrome** [1]. It is characterized by "rocker-bottom feet," clenched fists with overlapping fingers, and micrognathia. * **18p deletion (Option C):** This refers to Monosomy 18p, a rare chromosomal deletion syndrome distinct from the numerical trisomies. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Mnemonic for Trisomies:** **P**atau (Trisomy **13** - **P**uberty age), **E**dwards (Trisomy **18** - **E**lection age), **D**own (Trisomy **21** - **D**rinking age). * **Patau Key Features:** Holoprosencephaly (failure of forebrain to divide), Polydactyly, and "punched-out" scalp lesions (**Aplasia cutis**). * **Screening:** On maternal serum screening, Patau syndrome typically shows **decreased** levels of free β-hCG and PAPP-A in the first trimester. * **Prognosis:** Extremely poor; most infants do not survive beyond the first year of life. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Genetic Disorders, pp. 171-172.

Question 1

Hemochromatosis affects which of the following organs?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Heart

Answer

Pancreas

Answer

Skin

Question 2

CA 125 is used for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Follow-up of ovarian cancer

Answer

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Answer

Diagnosis of stomach cancer

Answer

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Question 3

Metastatic calcification is commonly seen in all of the following, except:

Accepted Answer

Cardiac valves

Answer

Lungs

Answer

Kidneys

Answer

Gastric mucosa

Question 4

Coagulative necrosis is typically seen in which organ?

Accepted Answer

Liver

Answer

Brain

Answer

Breast

Answer

All of the above

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of the four key cell cycle regulators that are dysregulated in a variety of human cancers?

Accepted Answer

P21

Answer

P16/INK4a

Answer

Cyclin D

Answer

RB

Question 6

Ectopic rest of normal tissue is known as?

Accepted Answer

Choristoma

Answer

Hamartoma

Answer

Pseudotumor

Answer

Lymphoma

Question 7

Patau syndrome is caused by which chromosomal abnormality?

Accepted Answer

Trisomy 13

Answer

Trisomy 21

Answer

Trisomy 18

Answer

18p deletion

Question 8

Sloughing of necrotic epithelium is characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Aspirin burn

Answer

Denture sore mouth

Answer

Traumatic ulcer

Answer

Contact dermatitis

Question 9

Coagulative necrosis is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Gangrene

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Sarcoidosis

Answer

Cryptococcal infection

Question 10

The most likely inheritance pattern depicted in the following pedigree is:

Accepted Answer

X-linked dominant

Answer

Autosomal dominant

Answer

X-linked recessive

Answer

Autosomal recessive

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?