Medical Oncology RACP MCQs Flashcards
(275 cards)
RACP 2022a Q3
PALB2 gene is implicated in which cancer?
a. Breast
b. Small cell lung cancer
c. Gastric
d. Prostate
A. Breast
PALB2 is a partner and localiser of BRCA2 and plays a role in BRCA2 DNA damage response functions. The cumulative breast cancer risk to age 80 for female carries is ~53%
Women with a faulty PALB2 gene have about a 55% chance of developing breast cancer and about a 5% chance of developing ovarian cancer over their lifetime.
Men with a faulty PALB2 gene have a 1% chance of developing breast cancer over their lifetime. Men with a faulty PALB2 gene also have an increased chance of developing prostate cancer over their lifetime, but the exact chance is unknown.
Both men and women with a faulty PALB2 gene have about a 3% chance of developing pancreatic cancer over their lifetime.
Not everyone who has a faulty PALB2 gene will develop cancer.
RACP 2022a Q11
11.A 59F is has a solitary plasmacytoma at T4 treated with irradiation. What is
the percentage risk of developing multiple myeloma?
a. 10%
b. 20%
c. 50%
d. 90%
C. 50%
Multiple myeloma develops in 50-60% of patients with solitary plasmacytoma of bone after initial radiation therapy. In contrast, MM only develops in 10-15% of patients with solitary extramedullary plasmacytomas.
RACP 2022 Q18
What is reduced by dose escalation during commencement of venetoclax?
a. Haematopoietic toxicity
b. Differentiation syndrome
c. Tumour lysis
C. TLS
Dose-escalation refers to a step-wise increase in treatment dose over a specified period of time. In the case of venetoclax, dose-escalation is performed to reduce the risk of developing life-threatening TLS.
Binds to and inhibits the B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL‑2) protein, which is an anti-apoptotic protein over-expressed in certain tumour cells, triggering cell death.
RACP 2022a Q24
A 24yo male with a history of pT1 seminomatous testicular cancer is
reviewed in clinic. In addition to LDH, which of the following tumour markers
would be elevated?
a. CEA
b. CA125
c. B-HCG
d. AFP
C - B-HCG
Seminomatous testicular cancer is LDH and BHCG positive.
AFP, BHCG, and LDH can be elevated in all testicular cancers. However, generally seminomas should be AFP negative. A positive AFP in seminomas should raise suspicion for nonseminomatous lesions as well.
HCG is elevated in 10-15% of seminomatous tumours with synctiotrophoblastic cells.
RACP 2022a Q27
27.(Past question)Female patient with adenocarcinoma of unknown origin, presents with shortness of breath. RR 24, 94% RA and BP 100/40. CXR showed globular heart.
a. Lymphangitic carcinomatosis
b. Atypical pneumonia
c. Pericardial effusion
d. PE with infarct
C - Pericardial effusion
The water bottle sign (globular heart) refers to the shape of the cardiac silhouette on erect frontal chest x-rays in patients who have a very large pericardial effusion. Typically the effusion has accumulated over many weeks to months (e.g. in patients with malignancy) and the pericardium has gradually stretched. The fluid, often measuring a litre or more, causes the pericardium to sag, mimicking an old-fashioned water bottle sitting on the bench.
RACP 2022a Q45
45.A patient has a new diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. He is about
to start chemo with RCHOP. As part of his initial work up, his hepatitis B
serology shows Hep B surface antigen negative, Hep B core antibody
positive, Hep B surface antibody positive. How would you manage this?
a. Do nothing as patient is immune
b. Check Hep B E antibody
c. Start antivirals
C
In patients who are HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive the cancer therapy regimen determines the risk for HBV reactivation. Patients receiving:
Higher risk cancer therapy (blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), B-cell depleting/B-cell active/anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, acute leukaemia and high grade lymphoma therapy) should receive antiviral prophylaxis.
Lower risk cancer therapy (therapy which is not classified as higher risk) do not require antiviral prophylaxis.
RACP 2022a Q46
46.40yo female with gord and new diagnosis of SCLC develops a rash over her nose that spreads to her face chest and hands. Hands are cold in the
morning. There is no myalgia, arthragia and CK and renal function is normal.
(Photo provided of Gottron papules on bilateral hands)
a. Amyotrophic dermatomyositis
b. Limited scleroderma
c. Granuloma annulares
d. Cutaneous SLE
A - Amyotrophic dermatomyositis
Gottron papules are characteristic of dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis is also a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with lung cancers.
RACP 2022a Q47
47.An ex-smoker with 30 pack year history has a right sided central lung mass on CXR. He has also experienced proximal weakness and hypokalemia -
what is most likely cause?
a. Squamous cell carcinoma
b. Small cell lung cancer
B - SCLC
Lung SCC and SCLC are the only two variants that are exclusively centrally located. The proximal muscle weakness and hypokalemia describes signs of paraneoplastic syndromes. Proximal muscle weakness could indicate myositis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, the latter is strongly associated with SCLC. Hypokalaemia may be present in Cushing’s syndrome as a result of ectopic ACTH production from SCLC.
RACP 2022a Q56
56.Which cancer has the most neurological paraneoplastic symptoms?
a. Ovarian
b. Breast
c. Thymoma
d. Small cell
D - SCLC
SCLC is the most common cause for almost all the neurological paraneoplastic symptoms. This is followed by breast and then ovarian cancers.
RACP 2022a Q66
66.70yo male with bony met prostate CA
Ca 2.78 (2.20-2.55)
Pth 7.5 (1.7-7.3)
Urine ca to Cr 0.41 (<0.61)
a. Bony erosions
b. Hyperparathyroidism
c. Exogenous vit D production
d. PTHrP
Answer B: Hyperparathyroidism
Blood tests reveal a PTH dependent hypercalcaemia
Options A and C are causes of PTH independent hyperCa
Prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and breast cancer produce PTHrP. But in malignancy-associated hypercalcaemia secondary to PTHrP, PTH is suppressed.
Urine Ca : Cr is WNL - not FHH
RACP 2022a Q74
74.30M with orchectomy. The biopsy has come back and it shows seminoma.
Besides raised LDH, which tumour would you expect to be raised?
a. BHCG
b. AFP
c. CEA
d. CA125
C - B-HCG
AFP, HCG, and LDH can be elevated in all testicular cancers. However, generally seminomas should be AFP negative and positive AFP in seminomas should raise suspicion for nonseminomatous lesions as well.
HCG is elevated in 10-15% of seminomatous tumours with synctiotrophoblastic cells.
RACP 2022a Q77
77.68 year old man with 3 months of dyspnoea, cough and bloody sputum. Nil
weight loss or fevers. He has a 30 pack year smoking history. CT chest
showed a 3 cm R sided central hilar mass with bilateral lymphadenopathy.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Sarcoidosis
b. Lymphoma
c. Small call carcinoma
d. Squamous cell carcinoma
Answer C or D
Both SCLC and squamous cell carcinoma are centrally located and are strongly associated with smoking
RACP 2022a Q78
78.For which thyroid cancer is calcitonin used to monitor for recurrence
a. anaplastic
b. follicular
c. medullary
d. papillary
Answer: C
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor of the parafollicular or C cells of the thyroid gland; it accounts for approximately 1 to 2 percent of thyroid carcinomas. The production of calcitonin is a characteristic feature of this tumor
RACP 2022a Q79
79.A 64yo M is found to have large cell lymphoma, he is planned to commence
on cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine(?), prednisone, and rituximab.
He was screened pre-treatment for hepatitis B, his results are as follows:
HbsAg negative
HbsAb positive
HbcAb positive
Viral load not detected
What is the most appropriate step before commencing chemotherapy?
a. antiviral medications
b. check hepatitis B e antibody
c. hepatitis B vaccine
d. no further treatment
A
https://www.eviq.org.au/getmedia/a957df52-3610-4b0c-a31e-e31db15b901d/1382-Preventing-reactivation-of-hep-B-algorithm.pdf
RACP 2022b Q3
- Which mutation and location does cetuximab provide the greatest survival
advantage in colorectal cancer?
A. RAS wild type and Left sided
B. RAS wild type and Right sided
C. RAS mutation and Left sided
D. RAS mutation and Right sided
A - wild type and left sided
Those that are RAS and BRAF wild-type on the RIGHT colon, derive relatively more benefit from treatment with bevacizumab.
Whereas LEFT-sided tumors that are RAS and BRAF-wildtype derive relatively more benefit from treatment with EGFR inhibitors (eg, cetuximab, panitumumab)
RACP 2022b Q21
- (Past question) Where does CDK4/6 work in the cell cycle?
A) G1 to S
B) S to G2
C) G2 to M
D) M to G1
A - G1 phase
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41388-020-1354-9
RACP 2022b Q36
- What cancer causes most deaths worldwide?
A. Lung
B. Colorectal
C. Breast
D. Prostate
A - lung
The most common causes of cancer death in 2020 were:
- lung (1.80 million deaths);
- colon and rectum (916 000 deaths);
- liver (830 000 deaths);
- stomach (769 000 deaths); and
- breast (685 000 deaths).
(from WHO)
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 (1). The most common in 2020 (in terms of new cases of cancer) were:
- breast (2.26 million cases);
- lung (2.21 million cases);
-colon and rectum (1.93 million cases);
- prostate (1.41 million cases);
- skin (non-melanoma) (1.20 million cases); and
- stomach (1.09 million cases).
RACP 2022b Q38
- “Two-hit hypothesis” is evident in which genetic condition?
A. Chromosomal microdeletion syndrome
B. Congential disorder of glycogen storage
C. Familal cancer syndromes
D. Inborn errors of metabolism
C - Familial cancer syndromes
Tumor suppressor genes may undergo a variety of mutations; however, most loss-of-function mutations that occur in tumor suppressor genes are recessive in nature. Thus, in order for a particular cell to become cancerous, both of the cell’s tumor suppressor genes must be mutated.
This idea is known as the “two-hit” hypothesis, and it was first proposed by geneticist Alfred Knudson in 1971. Today, this hypothesis serves as the basis for researchers’ understanding of how mutations in tumor suppressor genes drive cancer.
RACP 2021a Q19
Q19. A 52 year old man who is an ex-smoker presents to clinic with proximal muscle weakness and dysphagia. A
chest x-ray reveals a large anterior mediastinal pathology. He subsequently undergoes resection of the mass. Which histopathology would best explain his clinical findings and imaging?
A. Germ cell tumor
B. Lymphoma
C. Small cell lung cancer
D. Thymoma
This question and the answer options were well recalled.
??D
There are two clinical forms of myasthenia gravis (MG)
•Ocular MG – Weakness is limited to the eyelids and extraocular muscles.
•Generalized MG – Symptoms involve a variable combination of ocular, bulbar, limb, and/or respiratory muscles.
RACP 2021a Q36
Q36. A 60 year old man presents with a two week history of pruritis, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, and 6kg
weight loss, but nil abdominal pain. In the month prior, he had a course of augmentin duo forte for a chest
infection. He has a background history of a caecal cancer treated with right sided hemicolectomy. He smokes 20
cigarettes per day and drinks 2 standard drinks per day. His observations are: HR 88, BP 125/88, RR 12, temp
36.8C.
An abdominal ultrasound shows a dilated gallbladder with nil stones, dilated CBD to the level of the duodenum,
and increased echogenicity throughout the liver. His LFTs are as follows:
Bilirubin 210
Albumin 34
ALT 40
ALP 610
GGT 340
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Drug induced liver injury related to Augmentin
B. Alcoholic liver disease
C. Widespread colorectal cancer
D. Head of pancreas cancer
?C
obstructive jaundice
b/g CRC
RACP 2021a Q43
Q43. A 65 year old female has a right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. Her brother was diagnosed with colon
cancer aged 60. The histopathology showed mucinous adenocarcinoma with high satellite Instability. Which of the
following mutations would support a sporadic disease mutation rather than familial lynch syndrome?
A. BRAF
B. EGFR
C. Kras
D. PI3K
Answer: A
BRAF V600E mutation is commonly found in sporadic colorectal cancers, particularly those with microsatellite instability (MSI), but it is rarely found in Lynch syndrome-associated cancers.
Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) is associated with mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes such as MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2. These cancers tend to have high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), but they typically do not have the BRAF mutation. Instead, they are more often associated with germline mutations in MMR genes without BRAF mutations.
In contrast:
KRAS, EGFR, and PI3K mutations can be seen in both sporadic and Lynch syndrome-associated colorectal cancers and are not as definitive in differentiating between sporadic and familial causes.
RACP 2021 Q109
Q109. Minor elevations of which tumor marker could best be explained by cigarette smoking?
A. AFP
B. CA125
C. CEA
D. PSA
This question and the answer options were well recalled.
C - CEA
In a recent study of >700 apparently healthy volunteers, the median CEA values for male smokers and nonsmokers were 6.2 and 3.4 μg/L, respectively. The median concentrations for female smoker and nonsmokers were 4.9 and 2.5 μg/L, respectively (17). Thus, smoking appears to almost double the serum concentration of CEA.
https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/47/4/624/5639154?login=false
RACP 2021 Q118
Q118. A patient with ER positive metastatic breast cancer has failed first line therapy. What class of agent would
you add to aromatase to increase efficacy?
A. mTOR
B. HER2
C. VEGF
D. EGFR
Answer A mTOR
For initial therapy for patients with metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, we suggest a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) rather than an AI alone
ESR1 wild-type — For patients with PIK3CA and ESR1 wild-type tumors who have experienced progression on an aromatase inhibitor (AI) plus cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor, we suggest the selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) fulvestrant, with or without the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus.
In rare instances, breast cancers have HER2 mutations (not gene amplifications) on genomic sequencing. For ER positive tumors with HER2 mutations, fulvestrant in combination with anti-HER2 therapy with trastuzumab and neratinib is another treatment option.
RACP 2021 Q140
Q140. Oestrogen-sensitive metastatic breast cancer can be treated with cyclin dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6
inhibitors. These drugs interfere with cell cycle progression by inactivation of CDK 4/6 complexes resulting in cell
cycle arrest.
From the diagram above, where do the CDK 4/6 inhibitors exert their inhibitory effects?
A. G1 to S
B. S to G2
C. G2 to M
D. M to G1
This question and the answer options were well recalled.
Answer A
G1 to S phase