Skin tumours: BRAF mutation in 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: BRAF mutation in melanoma

Sample item

A patient with unresectable stage IV melanoma is found to have a BRAF V600E mutation. Which treatment combination is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. A BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor

About half of cutaneous melanomas carry BRAF mutations, usually V600E. Combined BRAF and MEK inhibition, such as dabrafenib with trametinib, improves response and reduces paradoxical skin tumours compared with BRAF inhibition alone. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are another major option.

Option by option

  • A. A BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor (correct)

    Correct. BRAF plus MEK inhibitors are standard for BRAF-mutant melanoma.

  • B. Topical imiquimod

    Imiquimod treats superficial lesions, not metastatic disease.

  • C. Oral isotretinoin

    Isotretinoin has no role.

  • D. Vismodegib

    Vismodegib targets the hedgehog pathway in BCC.

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 A, A BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor. About half of cutaneous melanomas carry BRAF mutations, usually V600E.

Why is "Topical imiquimod" not the answer?

Imiquimod treats superficial lesions, not metastatic disease.

Why is "Oral isotretinoin" not the answer?

Isotretinoin has no role.

Why is "Vismodegib" not the answer?

Vismodegib targets the hedgehog pathway in BCC.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: BRAF mutation in melanoma in Dermatology. Combined BRAF and MEK inhibition, such as dabrafenib with trametinib, improves response and reduces paradoxical skin tumours compared with BRAF inhibition alone. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are another major option.

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: BRAF mutation in 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.