Archive Of Standardized Exam Questions: Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how RCC 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 RCC. 

  • Risk factors include:
    • Smoking 
    • Older males
  • Hematuria 
  • Flank pain may also be present 
  • Polycythemia could occur due to increased EPO production by the kidney. 
  • Large solid mass may be seen on ultrasound. Will usually be hypervascular. 
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:

  • Cause: associated with a gene deletion on chromosome 3 (either sporadic or inherited as von Hippel-Lindau syndrome)
  • Origin: proximal convoluted tubules. 
  • Treatment:
    • Surgery/ablation for localized disease 
      • It is resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 
    • Bevacizumab: antibody against VEGF
  • Complications:
    • Can secrete PTHrP which will act like PTH in the body (paraneoplastic). 
    • Can secrete EPO: polycythemia will be caused (paraneoplastic)
    • Varicocele: invades renal vein (may cause varicocele if on left side). 

 

 

Page Updated: 04.28.2017