A 68-year-old man undergoes digital rectal examination for raised serum PSA. A hard, fixed nodule is felt through the anterior rectal wall. From which zone of the prostate does carcinoma most commonly arise?
- A Peripheral zone ✓
- B Central zone
- C Transition zone
- D Periurethral zone
Correct answer: A. Peripheral zone
Explanation
About 70 percent of prostatic adenocarcinomas arise in the peripheral zone, the posterior and lateral gland accessible to digital examination, whereas benign prostatic hyperplasia arises predominantly in the transition zone surrounding the urethra. That contrast is the discriminating fact: a student who confuses the two will pick option C, making it the strongest distractor.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.