Skin tumours: basal cell carcinoma behaviour: 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: basal cell carcinoma behaviour

Sample item

A 60-year-old has a pearly papule with rolled edge and telangiectasia on the nose. Which statement about this tumour is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It arises from follicular stem cells and very rarely metastasises

Basal cell carcinoma arises from follicular stem cells in the basal layer and is locally invasive and destructive but very rarely metastatic. It is the most common skin cancer. Surgery, including Mohs surgery for facial high-risk sites, is the usual treatment.

Option by option

  • A. It frequently metastasises to lymph nodes early

    Frequent early nodal spread is not typical of BCC.

  • B. It arises from melanocytes

    Melanoma arises from melanocytes.

  • C. It arises from follicular stem cells and very rarely metastasises (correct)

    Correct. BCC rarely metastasises.

  • D. It arises from Merkel cells

    Merkel cell carcinoma arises from Merkel cell lineage.

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.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, It arises from follicular stem cells and very rarely metastasises. Basal cell carcinoma arises from follicular stem cells in the basal layer and is locally invasive and destructive but very rarely metastatic.

Why is "It frequently metastasises to lymph nodes early" not the answer?

Frequent early nodal spread is not typical of BCC.

Why is "It arises from melanocytes" not the answer?

Melanoma arises from melanocytes.

Why is "It arises from Merkel cells" not the answer?

Merkel cell carcinoma arises from Merkel cell lineage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: basal cell carcinoma behaviour in Dermatology. It is the most common skin cancer. Surgery, including Mohs surgery for facial high-risk sites, is the usual treatment.

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: basal cell carcinoma behaviour?

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.