Practice targeted AMC-style multiple-choice questions on oncology.
A 3-year-old child is brought to the paediatric clinic by their parents due to a 2-month history of increasing abdominal distension, poor appetite, and occasional constipation. On physical examination, a firm, irregular mass is palpable in the upper abdomen, crossing the midline. Vital signs are stable. Initial blood tests, including full blood count and liver function tests, are within normal limits. An abdominal CT scan is performed (image provided). Considering the findings demonstrated in the image, which of the following investigations represents the most appropriate next step in establishing a definitive diagnosis and guiding further management?
A 68-year-old man with a 40 pack-year smoking history presents with a 3-month history of persistent cough, occasional haemoptysis, and a 5 kg weight loss. A chest X-ray shows a left upper lobe opacity. A subsequent CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis confirms a 4 cm mass in the left upper lobe and identifies several enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (largest 1.5 cm). There is no clear evidence of distant metastatic disease on the CT scan. He has no neurological symptoms or bone pain. Pulmonary function tests are pending. What is the most appropriate next investigation for staging this patient's non-small cell lung cancer?
A 68-year-old male presents with fatigue and weight loss. The provided image was obtained. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 72-year-old woman, status post mastectomy, presents with a lesion. What is the MOST appropriate initial diagnostic test?
A 62-year-old male with a history of hepatitis C presents with new onset jaundice and ascites. His AFP is markedly elevated. A contrast-enhanced ultrasound is performed, as shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 45-year-old male presents with a 3-month history of cough and unintentional weight loss. He is a former smoker. Physical examination is unremarkable. A chest X-ray showed a nodule, and a PET-CT was performed for further characterisation, an axial view is shown. Considering the imaging findings and clinical presentation, what is the MOST appropriate next diagnostic step?
A 45-year-old man presents to the clinic with a 2-month history of fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats. He has a history of smoking and works as a miner. On examination, he has cervical lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. A chest X-ray shows bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A 62-year-old man presents with a 4-month history of increasing fatigue, unintentional weight loss of 7 kg, and intermittent upper abdominal discomfort. He reports no change in bowel habits, dysphagia, or vomiting. His past medical history includes hypertension and osteoarthritis. He is a non-smoker and drinks alcohol occasionally. On examination, he is pale. His vital signs are stable. Abdominal examination reveals mild epigastric tenderness but no masses or organomegaly. There is no peripheral lymphadenopathy. Initial blood tests show haemoglobin 92 g/L (reference range 130-170), MCV 74 fL (80-95), ferritin 12 mcg/L (30-300), and CRP 18 mg/L (<5). Liver function tests and renal function tests are within normal limits. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial investigation?
A 62-year-old male with a history of chronic hepatitis C presents with right upper quadrant pain, weight loss, and jaundice. Vital signs are stable. Physical examination reveals hepatomegaly and mild ascites. Laboratory investigations include elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Imaging is performed as shown. Considering the clinical context and the findings demonstrated in the imaging, which of the following assessments is MOST crucial for determining the feasibility and type of definitive treatment for the identified lesion?
A 68-year-old male presents with fatigue, weight loss, and vague abdominal discomfort. His past medical history includes a recent diagnosis of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC). The provided image was obtained as part of his staging workup. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 58-year-old male with known alcoholic cirrhosis undergoes surveillance. AFP is 600 ng/mL. The provided image was obtained. What is the next step?
A 65-year-old patient with a history of smoking presents with a chronic cough and mild weight loss over three months. Physical examination is unremarkable, and vital signs are stable. Routine blood tests, including full blood count and inflammatory markers, are within normal limits. A chest X-ray revealed a solitary pulmonary nodule in the right upper lobe. Subsequent PET-CT imaging was performed as part of the diagnostic workup. Considering the findings demonstrated in the image provided, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 62-year-old male with a history of chronic hepatitis C presents to his general practitioner for a routine check-up. He reports no new symptoms. His liver function tests from 6 months ago were within normal limits. However, recent blood work reveals an elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level of 600 ng/mL (normal <10 ng/mL). The GP orders a contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the liver, the images from which are shown. Based on the ultrasound findings and the patient's history, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 70-year-old woman, post-mastectomy, presents with a chronic, pruritic lesion. What is the MOST likely underlying pathophysiology?
A 68-year-old male with known Hepatitis B related cirrhosis and a history of alcohol excess presents for routine surveillance. His alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, which has been stable at 15 ng/mL for the past two years, is now noted to be 185 ng/mL. A screening ultrasound performed three months prior was reported as showing diffuse parenchymal changes consistent with cirrhosis but no focal lesions. Due to the elevated AFP, a repeat ultrasound was performed, which identified a 2.5 cm nodule in segment VIII. To further characterise this lesion, a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed, and the images provided are representative findings from this study. The patient has well-compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A) and no significant comorbidities. His liver function tests are within normal limits except for a slightly elevated GGT. Given the clinical context and the findings demonstrated in the provided images, what is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 68-year-old former smoker with a 30 pack-year history presents to their GP with a 2-month history of persistent cough and increasing fatigue, noting a 3kg unintentional weight loss. Physical examination is unremarkable, and vital signs are stable. Routine blood tests, including full blood count and inflammatory markers, are within normal limits. A chest X-ray reveals a solitary pulmonary nodule in the right upper lobe. Subsequent PET-CT imaging is performed as part of the diagnostic workup. Considering the findings demonstrated in the image provided in the context of this patient's presentation, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 65-year-old male with known alcoholic cirrhosis presents for routine HCC screening. His AFP is 25 ng/mL. A CT scan with IV contrast is performed (image attached). What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 4-year-old boy presents with left flank pain and a palpable abdominal mass. His mother reports decreased appetite and recent weight loss. A CT scan of the abdomen is performed (image attached). What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
A 65-year-old male with new onset ascites and elevated ALP has the imaging shown. What is the MOST likely primary malignancy?
A 45-year-old woman has a mother diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 55 and a maternal aunt with endometrial cancer at age 60. What is the most appropriate initial step regarding genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndrome?
A 70-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of worsening constipation, occasional bright red rectal bleeding, and unexplained fatigue. His GP notes mild pallor. Full blood count reveals a haemoglobin of 105 g/L and low ferritin. A colonoscopy is performed, and the image provided is a representative view of a finding in the sigmoid colon. Biopsies were taken. Considering the clinical context and the endoscopic appearance, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management pathway to determine the extent of disease?
A 58-year-old male presents with fatigue and microcytic anemia. He denies overt bleeding but reports occasional dark stools. Colonoscopy reveals the image shown. Biopsies confirm adenocarcinoma. What is the MOST appropriate next investigation to stage the cancer?
A 4-year-old presents with abdominal distension and back pain for 2 months. Exam reveals a firm, fixed abdominal mass. Vitals are normal. An abdominal CT is performed (axial view shown). Which lab finding would MOST strongly support the suspected diagnosis?
A 68-year-old man with known alcoholic cirrhosis presents for routine surveillance. He reports mild fatigue but no other symptoms. Liver function tests are within his baseline. Alpha-fetoprotein is 150 ng/mL (normal <10). The provided images are obtained. Considering the clinical context and the findings demonstrated in the images, what is the most appropriate immediate next step in this patient's management?
A 28-year-old woman presents for a check-up, reporting occasional mild abdominal discomfort. Her father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 48, and his tumour showed microsatellite instability. A paternal aunt had endometrial cancer at 55. Physical exam is normal. What is the most appropriate next step regarding genetic testing?
A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with a 3-week history of increasing abdominal distension, intermittent pain, and decreased activity. Parents also report occasional flushing episodes and unexplained fevers. On examination, a large, firm, irregular mass is palpable in the upper abdomen, extending across the midline. Vital signs are stable, and routine blood tests, including full blood count, electrolytes, and liver function tests, are within normal limits. An abdominal CT scan is performed (image provided). Based on the findings demonstrated in the image and the clinical presentation, which of the following investigations is most critical for accurate staging and risk stratification in this likely diagnosis?
A 45-year-old man presents to his GP with a 3-month history of gradually enlarging, painless swelling in the left side of his neck. He denies fever, night sweats, or weight loss. He emigrated from a region with high tuberculosis prevalence five years ago and has no known history of TB exposure or prior testing. On examination, there are multiple firm, non-tender, discrete lymph nodes in the left posterior triangle of the neck, the largest measuring about 3 cm. There are no other palpable nodes or organomegaly. His chest X-ray is clear. What is the most appropriate next diagnostic step?
A 70-year-old male with known gastric MANEC presents with worsening jaundice and ascites. The provided CT scan was performed. Which of the following serum markers would be MOST useful in monitoring disease progression in this patient?
A 62-year-old woman presents with fatigue, constipation, and bone pain. Serum calcium is elevated. The provided imaging was obtained. What is the MOST likely underlying cause of her presentation?
A 4-year-old presents with abdominal distension, pain, and weight loss over several weeks. On examination, a firm, irregular abdominal mass is palpable. Blood tests show mild anaemia. The provided image is an axial CT slice of the abdomen. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings demonstrated in the image, which of the following investigations is the MOST appropriate initial step to establish a definitive diagnosis?
A 65-year-old patient with a history of smoking presents with a chronic cough and mild weight loss over three months. Physical examination is unremarkable, and vital signs are stable. Routine blood tests, including full blood count and inflammatory markers, are within normal limits. A chest X-ray revealed a solitary pulmonary nodule in the right upper lobe. Subsequent PET-CT imaging was performed as part of the diagnostic workup. Considering the findings demonstrated in the image provided in the context of this patient's presentation, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A 4-year-old presents with abdominal distension and back pain for 2 months. Exam reveals a firm, fixed abdominal mass. Vitals are normal. An abdominal CT is performed (axial view shown). Which lab finding would MOST strongly support the suspected diagnosis?
A 55-year-old woman presents to her general practitioner with a 3-month history of increasing abdominal bloating, early satiety, and a vague, intermittent dull ache in her lower abdomen. She reports a 5 kg weight loss over the same period, which she attributes to reduced appetite. Her last menstrual period was 5 years ago. She has a past medical history of well-controlled hypertension and osteoarthritis. She is on perindopril and paracetamol as needed. On physical examination, her vital signs are stable (BP 130/80 mmHg, HR 72 bpm, RR 16/min, Temp 36.8°C). Abdominal examination reveals mild distension and a firm, non-tender mass palpable in the suprapubic and left iliac fossa regions, estimated to be about 8 cm in size. Bowel sounds are normal. Pelvic examination is deferred due to patient discomfort and preference for imaging first. Routine blood tests, including full blood examination, urea and electrolytes, liver function tests, and C-reactive protein, are all within normal reference ranges. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed to investigate her symptoms, an axial image from which is shown. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings on the image, what is the most appropriate immediate next step in the management of this patient?
A 67-year-old woman presents to her GP with fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats over the past two months. She has a history of smoking and hypertension. On examination, she has palpable lymphadenopathy in the cervical and axillary regions. Blood tests reveal a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a peripheral blood smear showing atypical lymphocytes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A 3-year-old presents with abdominal distension and vague pain. Vitals are stable. An abdominal CT is performed (image attached). Elevated levels of HVA and VMA are noted in the urine. What is the MOST likely origin of the primary lesion?
A 62-year-old male with a history of hepatitis C presents with new onset ascites and right upper quadrant pain. His AFP is elevated. A CT scan of the abdomen with and without contrast is performed, as shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 58-year-old male presents with a 3-month history of dyspepsia, early satiety, and unintentional weight loss. Upper endoscopy revealed a large, ulcerated mass in the gastric antrum. Biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma. Staging investigations were performed, including the provided imaging. His ECOG performance status is 1. Blood tests show mild anaemia and normal liver function tests. Given the clinical presentation and the findings on the provided imaging, which of the following is the most appropriate primary goal of management for this patient?
A 55-year-old woman attends for her routine screening mammogram. She has no breast symptoms and no family history of breast cancer. Her physical examination is unremarkable. The mammogram is performed, and a finding is noted in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast, as shown in the image. Based on the appearance of the finding demonstrated in the image, what is the most appropriate next step in her management?
A 62-year-old woman presents for a routine follow-up appointment several years after undergoing a simple mastectomy for pT1N0M0 invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast. She completed adjuvant endocrine therapy and has been well since. During the consultation, she mentions that she has noticed a persistent area of skin change on her left chest wall, near the mastectomy scar, over the past few months. She describes it as occasionally itchy and slightly raised, but denies pain, discharge, or systemic symptoms such as weight loss or fever. Her vital signs are stable, and physical examination reveals no palpable axillary or supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. The appearance of the affected area is shown in the image. Considering the patient's history and the clinical presentation, what is the most appropriate initial diagnostic step?
A 58-year-old male with a 15-year history of chronic hepatitis B infection and established cirrhosis presents for a routine surveillance appointment. He reports feeling generally well, with no significant weight loss, abdominal pain, or jaundice. He denies alcohol use. On examination, his vital signs are stable. He has mild palmar erythema but no ascites or peripheral oedema. Liver span is normal. Recent blood tests show platelet count 120 x 10^9/L, albumin 35 g/L, INR 1.2, total bilirubin 20 µmol/L, ALT 40 U/L, AST 55 U/L, creatinine 80 µmol/L. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has risen from 50 µg/L six months ago to 450 µg/L today. A triphasic CT scan of the abdomen was performed as part of the surveillance protocol, axial views of which are provided. Considering the patient's clinical history, laboratory trends, and the findings demonstrated on the provided imaging, which of the following represents the MOST appropriate immediate next step in the management of this patient?
A 35-year-old male presents with hemoptysis and weight loss. PET-CT is shown. Bronchoscopy with biopsy is MOST likely to reveal which of the following?
Mrs. Eleanor Vance, a 62-year-old retired teacher, presents for her routine biennial screening mammogram through the BreastScreen Australia program. She has no personal history of breast disease, and her family history is negative for breast or ovarian cancer in first-degree relatives. She is otherwise healthy, with a history of diet-controlled type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis managed with paracetamol. She denies any breast pain, lumps, nipple discharge, or skin changes. Her last mammogram two years ago was reported as normal (BIRADS 1). Physical examination of both breasts and axillae is unremarkable. The current screening mammogram is performed. The image provided is a magnified view from the craniocaudal projection of the left breast, specifically highlighting an area that has been flagged for further assessment by the reporting radiologist due to a change from the previous study. Based on the appearance of the abnormality demonstrated in the provided image, which is the most appropriate method for obtaining a tissue diagnosis?
A 60-year-old man, post-chemotherapy, presents with fever and abdominal pain. The images are shown. What is the MOST appropriate initial therapy?
A 62-year-old woman presents with fatigue and bone pain. Serum calcium is elevated. The provided imaging was obtained. What is the MOST likely underlying cause of her hypercalcemia?
A 72-year-old presents with recent onset tenesmus and passage of mucus. He has lost 4kg over 2 months. Colonoscopy was performed, and a representative image is shown. Biopsies are pending but the appearance is highly suspicious for malignancy. What is the MOST appropriate initial investigation to assess for metastatic disease?
Mrs. Eleanor Vance, a 62-year-old retired teacher, presents for her routine biennial screening mammogram through the BreastScreen Australia program. She has no personal history of breast disease, and her family history is negative for breast or ovarian cancer in first-degree relatives. She is otherwise healthy, with a history of diet-controlled type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis managed with paracetamol. She denies any breast pain, lumps, nipple discharge, or skin changes. Her last mammogram two years ago was reported as normal (BIRADS 1). Physical examination of both breasts and axillae is unremarkable. The current screening mammogram is performed. The image provided is a magnified view from the craniocaudal projection of the left breast, specifically highlighting an area that has been flagged for further assessment by the reporting radiologist due to a change from the previous study. Based on the clinical presentation, the patient's history, and the specific finding demonstrated in the provided image from her screening mammogram, what is the most appropriate immediate next step in the management pathway for this patient?
A 35-year-old male presents with a two-month history of fatigue, unintentional weight loss, and a persistent dry cough. He denies fever or night sweats. A PET-CT scan of the chest was performed (image shown). What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?
A 55-year-old woman presents to her general practitioner with a 3-month history of increasing abdominal bloating, early satiety, and a vague, intermittent dull ache in her lower abdomen. She reports a 5 kg weight loss over the same period, which she attributes to reduced appetite. Her last menstrual period was 5 years ago. She has a past medical history of well-controlled hypertension and osteoarthritis. She is on perindopril and paracetamol as needed. On physical examination, her vital signs are stable (BP 130/80 mmHg, HR 72 bpm, RR 16/min, Temp 36.8°C). Abdominal examination reveals mild distension and a firm, non-tender mass palpable in the suprapubic and left iliac fossa regions, estimated to be about 8 cm in size. Bowel sounds are normal. Pelvic examination is deferred due to patient discomfort and preference for imaging first. Routine blood tests, including full blood examination, urea and electrolytes, liver function tests, and C-reactive protein, are all within normal reference ranges. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is performed to investigate her symptoms, an axial image from which is shown. Considering the clinical presentation and the findings on the image, what is the most appropriate immediate next step in the management of this patient?
Mrs. Eleanor Vance, a 62-year-old retired teacher, presents for her routine biennial screening mammogram through the BreastScreen Australia program. She has no personal history of breast disease, and her family history is negative for breast or ovarian cancer in first-degree relatives. She is otherwise healthy, with a history of diet-controlled type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis managed with paracetamol. She denies any breast pain, lumps, nipple discharge, or skin changes. Her last mammogram two years ago was reported as normal (BIRADS 1). Physical examination of both breasts and axillae is unremarkable. The current screening mammogram is performed. The image provided is a magnified view from the craniocaudal projection of the left breast, specifically highlighting an area that has been flagged for further assessment by the reporting radiologist due to a change from the previous study. Assuming that subsequent investigation of the area highlighted in the image confirms a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and the patient undergoes breast-conserving surgery, which of the following factors is most important in determining the need for adjuvant radiotherapy?
A 68-year-old male presents with fatigue, weight loss, and vague abdominal discomfort. His past medical history includes a recent diagnosis of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC). A CT scan of the abdomen is performed, as shown. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step in management?