Which of the following is an INCORRECT pairing of virus and associated malignancy?

Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2026

Explanation

The question asks to identify the incorrect pairing of a virus and a type of cancer.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignancy strongly and consistently associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), not Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
While CMV is a member of the herpesvirus family, like EBV, it is not the primary causative agent for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Therefore, the pairing of CMV with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is factually incorrect, making it the correct answer to this 'negative' question.

Option B: This is a correct pairing. Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 (HTLV-1) is the established etiological agent for Adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATLL).
Option C: This is a correct pairing. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) was the first virus linked to a human cancer and is strongly associated with Burkitt lymphoma, particularly the endemic African type.
Option D: This is a correct pairing. Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and is the direct cause of Kaposi sarcoma.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The association between specific oncogenic viruses and the malignancies they cause as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the link between viruses and cancer is crucial for screening, prevention, and treatment in nursing practice.
For example, vaccination against HPV can prevent cervical cancer, and screening for EBV DNA in plasma can help in the early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Nurses play a key role in educating patients about viral risks, vaccination schedules (like HPV), and safe practices to prevent transmission of viruses like HTLV-1 (e.g., through blood products, sexual contact).

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully and note the keyword 'INCORRECT'. This means you are looking for the false statement among the options.
Next, evaluate each option by recalling or looking up the known associations between viruses and cancers.
Option A: CMV and Nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Is this a known link? Recall that EBV is the virus strongly associated with this cancer.
Option B: HTLV-1 and Adult T-cell lymphoma. This is a classic, well-established association.
Option C: EBV and Burkitt lymphoma. This is another classic association, one of the first discovered.
Option D: HHV-8 and Kaposi sarcoma. The virus is even named after the sarcoma it causes (KSHV).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The association between specific oncogenic viruses and the malignancies they cause.
Stem keywords: virus, malignancy, pairing
Lead-in keywords: INCORRECT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the INCORRECT pairing.

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E6 PATHOLOGY QUICK REVIEWBased on Harsh Mohan Textbook of PATHOLOGY p. 70-72

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 332-334

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