Colorectal Cancer: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Question 1

Which of the following is **NOT** a known risk factor for colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Age under 50

Answer

Family history of the disease

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Physical inactivity

Question 2

Which type of colorectal cancer is characterized by the presence of mucus-secreting glands?

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma

Answer

Leiomyosarcoma

Answer

Carcinoid tumor

Answer

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Question 3

A sudden change in bowel habits, such as alternating between diarrhea and constipation, is a common symptom of:

Accepted Answer

Colorectal cancer

Answer

Irritable bowel syndrome

Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease

Answer

Diverticulitis

Question 4

Which of the following is a well-known risk factor for colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Having a family history of colorectal cancer

Answer

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables

Answer

Regular physical activity

Question 5

In the TNM staging system for colorectal cancer, 'N' signifies:

Accepted Answer

Lymph node involvement

Answer

Tumor size

Answer

Metastasis

Answer

Grade

Question 6

The hallmark clinical presentation of colorectal cancer is:

Accepted Answer

Rectal bleeding

Answer

Abdominal pain

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Weight loss

Question 7

Which diagnostic imaging technique is considered the gold standard for evaluating colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Computed tomography (CT)

Question 8

Which tumor marker demonstrates elevated levels in colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

Answer

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

Answer

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC)

Question 9

The most common site for colorectal cancer metastasis is:

Accepted Answer

Liver

Answer

Lungs

Answer

Brain

Answer

Bone

Question 10

Which histological subtype constitutes the majority of colorectal cancers?

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma

Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer

Lymphoma

Answer

Sarcoma

Question 11

Which clinical manifestation is NOT typically observed in patients with colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Weight gain

Answer

Rectal bleeding

Answer

Abdominal pain

Answer

Constipation

Question 12

For routine screening of colorectal cancer, which test is the preferred choice?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Sigmoidoscopy

Answer

Fecal occult blood test

Answer

Virtual colonoscopy

Question 13

In the initial treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, which chemotherapeutic agent is commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

5-fluorouracil

Answer

Oxaliplatin

Answer

Irinotecan

Answer

Bevacizumab

Question 14

In the context of colorectal cancer treatment, what is the primary target of monoclonal antibodies?

Accepted Answer

VEGF

Answer

EGFR

Answer

HER2

Answer

PD-1

Question 15

Which dietary component has been linked to a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

High consumption of dietary fiber

Answer

High consumption of red meat

Answer

High consumption of saturated fats

Answer

High consumption of vitamin C

Question 16

What is the predominant site of colorectal cancer occurrence?

Accepted Answer

Rectum

Answer

Ascending colon

Answer

Descending colon

Answer

Sigmoid colon

Question 17

Which diagnostic procedure is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer detection?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Sigmoidoscopy

Answer

Barium enema

Answer

Virtual colonoscopy

Question 18

For patients diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer, what is the approximate 5-year survival rate?

Accepted Answer

60-70%

Answer

Less than 50%

Answer

80-90%

Answer

Over 90%

Question 19

In the initial evaluation of suspected colorectal cancer, which imaging modality is the preferred choice?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Upper endoscopy

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) colonography

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen and pelvis

Question 20

Which genetic mutation is associated with microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

MLH1

Answer

KRAS

Answer

BRAF

Answer

APC

Question 21

Which procedure is the gold standard for diagnosing colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Answer

Biopsy

Question 22

For localized colorectal cancer, what is the preferred primary treatment modality?

Accepted Answer

Surgery

Answer

Chemotherapy

Answer

Radiation therapy

Answer

Targeted therapy

Question 23

Identify the chemotherapeutic agent most commonly employed in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer:

Accepted Answer

5-Fluorouracil

Answer

Irinotecan

Answer

Bevacizumab

Answer

Oxaliplatin

Question 24

Which of the following is a **negative** prognostic factor associated with **decreased** survival outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Presence of distant metastasis

Answer

Early stage at diagnosis

Answer

Well-differentiated tumor

Answer

Absence of nodal metastasis

Question 25

Discuss the advantages and drawbacks of liquid biopsy in diagnosing and monitoring colorectal cancer.

Accepted Answer

Liquid biopsy provides minimally invasive and cost-effective alternatives to traditional biopsies.

Answer

Liquid biopsy is not useful for colorectal cancer diagnosis or monitoring.

Answer

Liquid biopsy is helpful for diagnosis but not for monitoring.

Answer

Liquid biopsy can detect all colorectal cancer variants with perfect accuracy.

Question 26

In the treatment of colorectal cancer, which genetic mutation is linked to resistance against EGFR inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

KRAS

Answer

BRAF

Answer

APC

Question 27

Identify the predominant histological type of colorectal cancer:

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma

Answer

Melanoma

Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer

Sarcoma

Question 28

Which genetic mutation is commonly associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)?

Accepted Answer

MLH1

Answer

KRAS

Answer

BRCA1

Question 29

Which of the following symptoms can be an early indicator of colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Change in bowel habits

Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Abdominal pain

Answer

Weight loss

Question 30

What is the recommended first-line systemic therapy for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

5-Fluorouracil-based chemotherapy

Answer

Immunotherapy

Answer

Anti-EGFR therapy

Answer

Anti-VEGF therapy

Question 31

Which of the following factors is associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Advanced stage at diagnosis

Answer

Good performance status

Answer

Younger age

Answer

Female gender

Question 32

What is the primary objective of palliative care for patients with advanced colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

To enhance quality of life.

Answer

To extend survival.

Answer

To impede disease progression.

Answer

To alleviate pain.

Question 33

Which of the following is a common clinical presentation of colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Rectal bleeding.

Answer

Persistent cough.

Answer

Difficulty breathing.

Answer

Jaundice.

Question 34

What is the preferred treatment option for localized colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Surgical resection.

Answer

Radiation therapy.

Answer

Chemotherapy.

Answer

Immunotherapy.

Question 35

Which drug is commonly used as adjuvant therapy following surgical resection of colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

5-fluorouracil.

Answer

Methotrexate.

Answer

Tamoxifen.

Answer

Doxorubicin.

Question 36

What is the most common site of metastasis for colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Liver.

Answer

Brain.

Answer

Bones.

Answer

Lungs.

Question 37

Which clinical sign may indicate recurrent colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Persistent abdominal pain.

Answer

Persistent fatigue.

Answer

Significant weight gain.

Answer

Headaches.

Question 38

How does nutrition contribute to colorectal cancer prevention?

Accepted Answer

Consuming a high-fiber diet reduces risk.

Answer

Low-fat diets increase risk.

Answer

Supplements are crucial for prevention.

Answer

Vegetarian diets offer no protection.

Question 39

Which of the following factors increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Age over 50

Answer

Regular exercise

Answer

Moderate alcohol consumption

Answer

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables

Question 40

What is the most common initial symptom of colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Rectal bleeding

Answer

Hematuria (blood in the urine)

Answer

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

Answer

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Question 41

Which diagnostic test is used to visualize the entire colon and rectum directly?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Upper GI endoscopy

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Ultrasound

Question 42

Which of the following is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

Answer

Paclitaxel (Taxol)

Answer

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Answer

Trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Question 43

What is the primary purpose of the Dukes' staging system in colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Determining the extent of the cancer's spread and guiding treatment planning

Answer

Identifying high-risk patients for colorectal cancer

Answer

Early detection of colorectal cancer

Question 44

Which of the following individuals is at increased risk of inheriting a predisposition to colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

A patient with a family history of Lynch syndrome

Answer

A patient with a history of smoking

Answer

A patient over the age of 70

Answer

A patient with a family history of breast cancer

Question 45

What is the primary goal of palliative care for patients with advanced colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

To enhance the patient's quality of life and manage symptoms

Answer

To prevent the cancer from progressing

Answer

To prolong survival as much as possible

Answer

To cure the cancer