Archive Of Standardized Exam Questions: Follicular Lymphoma

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is follicular lymphoma. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how follicular lymphoma will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a topic is quite valuable.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)

When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for follicular lymphoma

  • Lymphadenopathy: that is persistent (and might have a fluctuating course). Painless lymph node enlargement is classic. 
  • Abodminla pain/discomfort from an abdominal mass. 
  • Cleaved and non-cleaved follicle center cells in a nodular pattern is the typical histological appearance 
QUESTION EXAMPLES

Question # 1

 

Explanation # 1

 

Question # 2

 

Explanation # 2

 

TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)

Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:

  • Type of lymphoma: indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (most common in adults)
  • Cause: t(14;18) translocation. Results in an over-expression of bcl-2
  • What is bcl-2: anti-apoptotic oncogene that blocks programmed cell death. 

 

 

Page Updated: 05.03.2017