Skin tumours: nodular melanoma: 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: nodular melanoma

Sample item

Which melanoma subtype has an early vertical growth phase, appears as a rapidly enlarging dome-shaped dark or pink nodule, and often has no radial growth phase?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nodular melanoma

Nodular melanoma lacks a clear radial growth phase and enters vertical growth early, so it is often thick at diagnosis and has a worse prognosis. It may be amelanotic and mistaken for a benign lesion. The ABCDE rule often misses it, so the EFG rule (elevated, firm, growing) is used.

Option by option

  • A. Lentigo maligna melanoma

    Lentigo maligna melanoma arises from lentigo maligna on chronically sun-damaged skin.

  • B. Nodular melanoma (correct)

    Correct. Nodular melanoma shows early vertical growth.

  • C. Acral lentiginous melanoma

    Acral lentiginous melanoma occurs on palms, soles and nail units.

  • D. Superficial spreading melanoma

    Superficial spreading melanoma has a prolonged radial growth phase.

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, Nodular melanoma. Nodular melanoma lacks a clear radial growth phase and enters vertical growth early, so it is often thick at diagnosis and has a worse prognosis.

Why is "Lentigo maligna melanoma" not the answer?

Lentigo maligna melanoma arises from lentigo maligna on chronically sun-damaged skin.

Why is "Acral lentiginous melanoma" not the answer?

Acral lentiginous melanoma occurs on palms, soles and nail units.

Why is "Superficial spreading melanoma" not the answer?

Superficial spreading melanoma has a prolonged radial growth phase.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: nodular melanoma in Dermatology. It may be amelanotic and mistaken for a benign lesion. The ABCDE rule often misses it, so the EFG rule (elevated, firm, growing) is used.

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: nodular melanoma?

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.