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

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam with detailed quizzes. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions to master the ABS QE topics. Get all the hints and explanations you need to succeed on your first attempt!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which tumors are considered very radioresistant?

Sarcomas, lymphomas
Epithelial tumors, sarcomas
Hematological cancers, testicular tumors
Breast tumors, neuroblastomas

The correct answer is: Epithelial tumors, sarcomas

When considering the types of tumors that are classified as very radioresistant, it's essential to recognize the biological behavior of these tumors. Epithelial tumors, which include many carcinomas, tend to be more sensitive to radiation therapy due to their relatively high levels of mitotic activity and proliferative capacity. In contrast, sarcomas, which are derived from mesenchymal tissue, demonstrate a greater degree of radioresistance. This radioresistance in sarcomas can be attributed to several factors, including their slower growth rates, differences in oxygenation within the tumor, and inherent cellular characteristics that confer an ability to withstand ionizing radiation. Moreover, certain subtypes of sarcomas, such as osteosarcoma or malignant fibrous histiocytoma, show significant resistance compared to other tumor types. Overall, the combination of epithelial tumors being more sensitive and sarcomas being less sensitive allows for the classification that includes sarcomas as very radioresistant. Therefore, the inclusion of epithelial tumors with sarcomas offers clarity in the context of radioresistance in oncology, particularly in treatment planning and patient management.