Skin tumours: lymphomatoid papulosis: 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 · Skin tumours: lymphomatoid papulosis

Sample item

A 30-year-old has recurrent crops of red-brown papules that become necrotic and heal spontaneously over 6 weeks with small scars. Biopsy shows large atypical CD30-positive cells. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lymphomatoid papulosis

Lymphomatoid papulosis is a CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorder with recurrent self-healing papulonecrotic lesions. It has an excellent prognosis, but patients need follow-up because a minority develop another lymphoma such as mycosis fungoides. Treatment is observation or low-dose methotrexate for frequent disease.

Option by option

  • A. Insect bites

    Insect bites do not show CD30-positive atypical cells.

  • B. Lymphomatoid papulosis (correct)

    Correct. Recurrent self-healing papules with CD30-positive cells indicate lymphomatoid papulosis.

  • C. Pityriasis lichenoides chronica

    Pityriasis lichenoides lacks atypical CD30-positive cells.

  • D. Lymphomatoid granulomatosis

    Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a pulmonary EBV-related disorder.

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.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, Lymphomatoid papulosis. Lymphomatoid papulosis is a CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorder with recurrent self-healing papulonecrotic lesions.

Why is "Insect bites" not the answer?

Insect bites do not show CD30-positive atypical cells.

Why is "Pityriasis lichenoides chronica" not the answer?

Pityriasis lichenoides lacks atypical CD30-positive cells.

Why is "Lymphomatoid granulomatosis" not the answer?

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a pulmonary EBV-related disorder.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: lymphomatoid papulosis in Dermatology. It has an excellent prognosis, but patients need follow-up because a minority develop another lymphoma such as mycosis fungoides. Treatment is observation or low-dose methotrexate for frequent disease.

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 Skin tumours: lymphomatoid papulosis?

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.