Question 1

A newborn male is born with heart failure. Three weeks later he receives a heart transplant. Which of the following is he at the highest risk for developing?&#10;A) Leukemia&#10;B) Liver cancer&#10;C) Pancreatic cancer&#10;D) Burkitt lymphoma

Accepted Answer

Organ transplant places the child at risk for leukemia.
Organ transplant places the child at risk for leukemia,not liver cancer.
Organ transplant places the child at risk for leukemia,not pancreatic cancer.
Organ transplant places the child at risk for leukemia,not Burkitt lymphoma.

Question 2

A 40-year-old female developed adenocarcinoma of the vagina. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her cancer?&#10;A) Rb gene mutation&#10;B) Prenatal exposure to DES&#10;C) Prenatal exposure to solvents&#10;D) Prenatal exposure to radiation

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma of the vagina is strongly associated with prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES). DES was given to pregnant women between 1940-1971 to prevent miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. However, it was later found to cause reproductive tract abnormalities and an increased risk of certain cancers in female offspring, including vaginal adenocarcinoma. Rb gene mutations are associated with retinoblastoma and other cancers, but not specifically adenocarcinoma of the vagina. Prenatal exposure to solvents and radiation may increase the risk of certain cancers, but there is no strong evidence linking them to vaginal adenocarcinoma specifically.

Question 3

The most common malignancy in children is:&#10;A) leukemia.&#10;B) neuroblastoma.&#10;C) Wilms tumor.&#10;D) retinoblastoma.

Accepted Answer

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children, accounting for about 30% of all childhood cancers. Neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, and retinoblastoma are also common childhood cancers, but not as prevalent as leukemia.

Question 4

A 4-year-old male was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Which of the following characterizes this type of cancer?&#10;A) Embryonic tumor&#10;B) Often seen in adults&#10;C) Composed of mature, differentiated cells&#10;D) Usually manifested around age 10

Accepted Answer

Leukemia in children is often considered an embryonic tumor because it originates from immature cells in the bone marrow.

Question 5

A couple brings their child to his physician for a checkup. The child has Down syndrome, and the couple is concerned about other diseases that could afflict the child. The physician explains that young children with Down syndrome are at higher risk for developing:

A) nephroblastoma.
B) rhabdomyosarcoma.
C) leukemia.
D) retinoblastoma.

Accepted Answer

Young children with Down syndrome have a higher risk of developing leukemia, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The risk is estimated to be up to 20 times higher than that of the general population. They are not at increased risk for the other types of cancer listed.

Question 6

Most childhood cancers originate from the:&#10;A) placenta.&#10;B) environment.&#10;C) mesodermal germ layer.&#10;D) neural tube.

Accepted Answer

Most childhood cancers arise from cells derived from the mesodermal germ layer, which is responsible for the development of blood, bone, cartilage, and muscle. Examples of childhood cancers that arise from the mesodermal germ layer include leukemia, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma.

Question 7

A 16-year-old male with aspirations of becoming a bodybuilder spends 3 hours a day in the gym. Five years later he develops hepatocellular carcinoma. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the cancer?

A) Immunosuppressive agents
B) Cytotoxic agents
C) Anabolic steroids
D) A viral infection

Accepted Answer

Anabolic steroids are commonly used by bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth and improve performance, but they have been associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. The prolonged and excessive use of these drugs can cause liver damage and lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The other options, including immunosuppressive agents, cytotoxic agents, and viral infections, do not typically cause liver cancer in this population.

Question 8

A 3-year-old female was diagnosed with Wilms tumor. This disease is a tumor of the:&#10;A) kidney.&#10;B) brain.&#10;C) bone marrow.&#10;D) liver.

Accepted Answer

Wilms tumor is a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys. It is most commonly found in children between the ages of 2 and 5.

Deck 11: Cancer in Children