American Board of Pathology (ABPath) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When a patient presents with abnormal weight loss while maintaining a normal appetite, one of the key concerns is the possibility of an underlying malignancy, which is why cancer is the most appropriate option in this scenario. Tumors can lead to weight loss through a variety of mechanisms: they may increase metabolic demand, cause changes in the body’s ability to utilize nutrients, or even trigger catabolic states where the body starts breaking down its own tissues for energy.

Moreover, in many cases, cancer can result in weight loss without associated changes in appetite, as the body is metabolically altered by the tumor. This is often seen in conditions such as lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and many others, where weight loss can be an early and prominent symptom.

In contrast, thyroid dysfunction can cause changes in appetite, weight, and energy levels, but it is often associated with either weight gain or weight loss that is not isolated from changes in appetite. Glucose intolerance typically manifests with other symptoms such as polyuria and polydipsia rather than substantial weight loss alone, while gastroesophageal reflux usually involves weight stability or even weight gain due to comfort eating to alleviate symptoms. Therefore, when faced with abnormal weight loss and a preserved appetite, malignancy should be a leading