A 65-year-old heavy smoker presents with cough, hemoptysis, and a central hilar mass. Biopsy shows tumor cells with intercellular bridges and individual cell keratinization. This histological finding is characteristic of:

• A Squamous cell carcinoma ✓
• B Small cell carcinoma
• C Adenocarcinoma
• D Large cell carcinoma

Explanation

Intercellular bridges (desmosomes) and keratin pearl formation or individual cell keratinization are the defining microscopic features of squamous cell carcinoma, reflecting its squamous differentiation. It typically arises centrally from bronchial epithelium and is strongly associated with smoking. Adenocarcinoma shows glandular/acinar patterns; small cell carcinoma shows nuclear molding with scant cytoplasm; large cell carcinoma is a diagnosis of exclusion with no differentiation markers.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.