Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

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Which type of cancer is associated with Reed-Sternberg cells?

  1. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

  2. Hodgkin's lymphoma

  3. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  4. Chronic myeloid leukemia

The correct answer is: Hodgkin's lymphoma

Reed-Sternberg cells are characteristic of Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is a type of lymphatic cancer. These cells are large, abnormal lymphocytes that are a definitive histological marker for diagnosing this disease. The presence of Reed-Sternberg cells distinguishes Hodgkin's lymphoma from other types of lymphomas, particularly Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In Hodgkin's lymphoma, the Reed-Sternberg cells are a key feature that indicate the malignancy derived from B-lymphocytes. Their identification under the microscope is crucial for confirming a Hodgkin's diagnosis and helps to delineate Hodgkin's lymphoma from other hematological malignancies like acute lymphoblastic leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia, which do not present these specific cells. Thus, the identification of Reed-Sternberg cells plays a significant role in the diagnosis and classification of Hodgkin's lymphoma, affirming why the association is specifically tied to this cancer type.