Skin tumours: Leser-Trelat sign: 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: Leser-Trelat sign

Sample item

A 68-year-old man develops many seborrhoeic keratoses over a few months, with itching and weight loss. What does this suggest?

AAn underlying internal malignancy, usually adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tractBHypothyroidismCPellagraDA benign age change needing no evaluation

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. An underlying internal malignancy, usually adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract

The sign of Leser-Trelat is the sudden eruption or enlargement of numerous seborrhoeic keratoses as a possible paraneoplastic marker, often with acanthosis nigricans. Evaluation for malignancy is appropriate. Single or gradually increasing seborrhoeic keratoses are benign.

Option by option

A. An underlying internal malignancy, usually adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract (correct)
Correct. A sudden crop of keratoses with weight loss needs a search for malignancy.
B. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism causes dry skin.
C. Pellagra
Pellagra gives photosensitive dermatitis.
D. A benign age change needing no evaluation
Sudden eruption is not a benign age change.

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.

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, An underlying internal malignancy, usually adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. The sign of Leser-Trelat is the sudden eruption or enlargement of numerous seborrhoeic keratoses as a possible paraneoplastic marker, often with acanthosis nigricans.

Why is "Hypothyroidism" not the answer?

Hypothyroidism causes dry skin.

Why is "Pellagra" not the answer?

Pellagra gives photosensitive dermatitis.

Why is "A benign age change needing no evaluation" not the answer?

Sudden eruption is not a benign age change.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: Leser-Trelat sign in Dermatology. Evaluation for malignancy is appropriate. Single or gradually increasing seborrhoeic keratoses are benign.

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: Leser-Trelat sign?

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.