skip to main content

Hodgkin lymphoma — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateLymphadenopathyHodgkin lymphomaMCCQE Part 1

A 24-year-old woman has painless cervical lymphadenopathy, night sweats and pruritus. Chest radiograph shows mediastinal widening. Which of the following is the most appropriate diagnostic step?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Excisional lymph node biopsy

Persistent painless lymphadenopathy with B symptoms and mediastinal mass suggests lymphoma, and excisional biopsy preserves architecture for diagnosis. Fine-needle aspiration often provides insufficient architecture for lymphoma subtyping. Empiric prolonged antibiotics or treatment without tissue diagnosis risks delay and misclassification.

Reference: Cancer Care Ontario lymphoma diagnostic pathway; Canadian haematology practice