Nonmelanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma: 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 · Nonmelanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma

Sample item

A patient has a slowly enlarging pearly papule with rolled edge, surface telangiectasia, and occasional bleeding on the nose. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a pearly translucent papule with telangiectasia and rolled edges on sun-exposed skin. It is locally destructive but metastasizes rarely.

Option by option

  • A. Seborrheic keratosis

    Seborrheic keratosis often has a stuck-on waxy appearance.

  • B. Melanoma

    Melanoma is usually a changing pigmented lesion, though amelanotic variants exist.

  • C. Squamous cell carcinoma

    SCC often appears as a scaly, crusted, indurated lesion and has greater metastatic potential.

  • D. Basal cell carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. The pearly rolled-edge lesion is classic BCC morphology.

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 D, Basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a pearly translucent papule with telangiectasia and rolled edges on sun-exposed skin.

Why is "Seborrheic keratosis" not the answer?

Seborrheic keratosis often has a stuck-on waxy appearance.

Why is "Melanoma" not the answer?

Melanoma is usually a changing pigmented lesion, though amelanotic variants exist.

Why is "Squamous cell carcinoma" not the answer?

SCC often appears as a scaly, crusted, indurated lesion and has greater metastatic potential.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nonmelanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma in Dermatology. It is locally destructive but metastasizes rarely.

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 Nonmelanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma?

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.