American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Vincristine is NOT associated with which of the following?

1. Peripheral neuropathy

2. Myelosuppression

3. Acoustic nerve damage

4. Pulmonary fibrosis

The correct answer is: Myelosuppression

Vincristine is a chemotherapeutic agent primarily used in the treatment of various malignancies, especially in pediatric oncology. Its mechanism of action involves disruption of microtubule formation, which is crucial for cell division. As a result, vincristine is known for causing peripheral neuropathy due to its neurotoxic effects, often presenting as tingling, numbness, or pain in the extremities. This is consistent with the known side effects of the drug. The relationship between vincristine and myelosuppression, however, sets it apart from many other chemotherapeutic agents. Vincristine is generally not associated with significant myelosuppression, which is the suppression of bone marrow activity leading to decreased production of blood cells. Instead, it tends to spare the bone marrow to a considerable extent, allowing patients to maintain better blood counts compared to treatments that cause substantial myelosuppression. While vincristine can lead to various side effects, it is also noted that it is unlikely to cause acoustic nerve damage or pulmonary fibrosis directly. Therefore, the correct identification of myelosuppression as the side effect not typically associated with vincristine highlights its distinct pharmacological profile among chemotherapeutic agents.