SBA — Single Best Answer · Review
Question 408
Pathology → General
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
A population of cells begins proliferating following a stimulus. The initiating stimulus is subsequently removed, but the abnormal proliferation continues in an excessive and uncoordinated manner. Which feature most strongly supports classification of this proliferation as neoplastic?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
The proliferation ceases when the initiating stimulus is removed
B
The proliferation continues after the initiating stimulus has ceased
C
The cells necessarily retain completely normal growth control
D
The proliferation must always be inflammatory
E
The lesion must already have metastasised
Explanation
Neoplasia is abnormal, excessive, uncoordinated, autonomous and purposeless cellular proliferation that continues even after the stimulus that initiated the change has ceased.
Option Validity
A) Dependence on continued stimulation argues against the autonomous growth characteristic of neoplasia.
C) Neoplastic proliferation is characterised by loss of normal coordinated growth control.
D) Neoplasia is not defined as an inflammatory proliferation.
E) Metastasis is a feature of malignant behaviour but is not required for the general definition of neoplasia.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 5: Pathology. General Pathology, pp.161–175.