Skin tumours: actinic cheilitis: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Skin tumours: actinic cheilitis

Sample item

A 65-year-old outdoor worker has a persistently scaly, dry lower lip with loss of the vermilion border and a firm indurated area. What is the next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Biopsy to exclude squamous cell carcinoma

Actinic cheilitis is a premalignant change of the lower lip from chronic sun exposure, and induration, ulceration or a persistent erosion raises concern for SCC. Biopsy of suspicious areas is needed. Treatment includes 5-fluorouracil, photodynamic therapy or vermilionectomy.

Option by option

  • A. Observation for 6 months

    Delay risks progression of SCC.

  • B. Oral acyclovir

    Acyclovir treats herpes labialis.

  • C. Lip balm only

    Lip balm alone would miss malignancy.

  • D. Biopsy to exclude squamous cell carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. Induration requires biopsy to exclude SCC.

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 D, Biopsy to exclude squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic cheilitis is a premalignant change of the lower lip from chronic sun exposure, and induration, ulceration or a persistent erosion raises concern for SCC.

Why is "Observation for 6 months" not the answer?

Delay risks progression of SCC.

Why is "Oral acyclovir" not the answer?

Acyclovir treats herpes labialis.

Why is "Lip balm only" not the answer?

Lip balm alone would miss malignancy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: actinic cheilitis in Dermatology. Biopsy of suspicious areas is needed. Treatment includes 5-fluorouracil, photodynamic therapy or vermilionectomy.

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 Skin tumours: actinic cheilitis?

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.