Cutaneous markers of malignancy: acquired ichthyosis: 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: acquired ichthyosis

Sample item

A 40-year-old man develops new generalised fish-scale dryness of the skin with cervical lymphadenopathy and weight loss. Which malignancy is the classic association of acquired ichthyosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hodgkin lymphoma

Acquired ichthyosis in an adult should prompt a search for underlying disease, classically Hodgkin lymphoma, and also other lymphomas, leprosy, HIV, hypothyroidism and drug effects. Scaling is most marked on the extremities. The skin often improves when the underlying disease is treated.

Option by option

  • A. Basal cell carcinoma

    Basal cell carcinoma is a local skin tumour without this link.

  • B. Hodgkin lymphoma (correct)

    Correct. Hodgkin lymphoma is the classic association.

  • C. Thyroid papillary carcinoma

    Papillary thyroid carcinoma is not a classic association.

  • D. Prostate adenocarcinoma

    Prostate cancer is not linked to acquired ichthyosis.

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 B, Hodgkin lymphoma. Acquired ichthyosis in an adult should prompt a search for underlying disease, classically Hodgkin lymphoma, and also other lymphomas, leprosy, HIV, hypothyroidism and drug effects.

Why is "Basal cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Basal cell carcinoma is a local skin tumour without this link.

Why is "Thyroid papillary carcinoma" not the answer?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is not a classic association.

Why is "Prostate adenocarcinoma" not the answer?

Prostate cancer is not linked to acquired ichthyosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cutaneous markers of malignancy: acquired ichthyosis in Dermatology. Scaling is most marked on the extremities. The skin often improves when the underlying disease is treated.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: acquired ichthyosis?

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.