Which term describes a group of tumors that attack separate tissues?

Which term describes a group of tumors that attack separate tissues?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Fractures
• C. Kyphosis
• D. Ewing Sarcoma Family Tumors

Answer: (D)

This item tests recognizing a family of related cancers that can arise in different tissues. Ewing sarcoma family tumors are a group of malignant tumors that can develop in bone or in soft tissue, so they describe cancers attacking separate tissues. They share similar histology and genetics (often a characteristic EWSR1-FLI1 gene fusion from a t(11;22) translocation) and are treated as a related group rather than a single tumor type. By contrast, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition, fractures are breaks in bone, and kyphosis is an abnormal spinal curvature—none describe a group of tumors spanning different tissues. Therefore, the term that fits is the Ewing Sarcoma Family Tumors.

This item tests recognizing a family of related cancers that can arise in different tissues. Ewing sarcoma family tumors are a group of malignant tumors that can develop in bone or in soft tissue, so they describe cancers attacking separate tissues. They share similar histology and genetics (often a characteristic EWSR1-FLI1 gene fusion from a t(11;22) translocation) and are treated as a related group rather than a single tumor type. By contrast, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition, fractures are breaks in bone, and kyphosis is an abnormal spinal curvature—none describe a group of tumors spanning different tissues. Therefore, the term that fits is the Ewing Sarcoma Family Tumors.