Skin tumours: cutaneous angiosarcoma: 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: cutaneous angiosarcoma

Sample item

An elderly man has a spreading bruise-like violaceous plaque with nodules and oedema on the scalp and forehead. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cutaneous angiosarcoma

Angiosarcoma of the head and neck in the elderly presents as an enlarging bruise-like violaceous plaque with oedema, and it is very aggressive. Biopsy shows atypical vascular channels with CD31 and CD34 positivity. Lymphoedema-associated angiosarcoma (Stewart-Treves) is a related entity.

Option by option

  • A. Cellulitis

    Cellulitis is acutely painful with fever and responds to antibiotics.

  • B. Basal cell carcinoma

    BCC is pearly and rarely bruise-like.

  • C. Cutaneous angiosarcoma (correct)

    Correct. A violaceous scalp plaque in an elderly man is classic for angiosarcoma.

  • D. Rosacea

    Rosacea gives erythema and papules on the central face.

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 C, Cutaneous angiosarcoma. Angiosarcoma of the head and neck in the elderly presents as an enlarging bruise-like violaceous plaque with oedema, and it is very aggressive.

Why is "Cellulitis" not the answer?

Cellulitis is acutely painful with fever and responds to antibiotics.

Why is "Basal cell carcinoma" not the answer?

BCC is pearly and rarely bruise-like.

Why is "Rosacea" not the answer?

Rosacea gives erythema and papules on the central face.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: cutaneous angiosarcoma in Dermatology. Biopsy shows atypical vascular channels with CD31 and CD34 positivity. Lymphoedema-associated angiosarcoma (Stewart-Treves) is a related entity.

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: cutaneous angiosarcoma?

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.