Cutaneous markers of malignancy: necrolytic migratory erythema: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Cutaneous markers of malignancy: necrolytic migratory erythema

Sample item

A 58-year-old woman has weight loss, new diabetes, anaemia and a migratory erythematous eruption with erosions and crusting around the groin and perineum. Which diagnosis should be sought?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Glucagonoma

Necrolytic migratory erythema is a cutaneous marker of glucagonoma, an alpha-cell pancreatic tumour, together with weight loss, diabetes, anaemia and stomatitis. Serum glucagon is raised and amino acid and zinc deficiency contribute. Surgical resection of the tumour is the treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Glucagonoma (correct)

    Correct. Necrolytic migratory erythema suggests glucagonoma.

  • B. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

    Zollinger-Ellison causes peptic ulceration.

  • C. Insulinoma

    Insulinoma causes hypoglycaemia.

  • D. Carcinoid tumour

    Carcinoid causes flushing and diarrhoea.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Glucagonoma. Necrolytic migratory erythema is a cutaneous marker of glucagonoma, an alpha-cell pancreatic tumour, together with weight loss, diabetes, anaemia and stomatitis.

Why is "Zollinger-Ellison syndrome" not the answer?

Zollinger-Ellison causes peptic ulceration.

Why is "Insulinoma" not the answer?

Insulinoma causes hypoglycaemia.

Why is "Carcinoid tumour" not the answer?

Carcinoid causes flushing and diarrhoea.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cutaneous markers of malignancy: necrolytic migratory erythema in Dermatology. Serum glucagon is raised and amino acid and zinc deficiency contribute. Surgical resection of the tumour is the treatment.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cutaneous markers of malignancy: necrolytic migratory erythema?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.