Skin tumours: cutaneous metastases: 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 metastases

Sample item

Which statement about the primary site of cutaneous metastases is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. The commonest source in women is breast cancer

Cutaneous metastases most often arise from breast cancer in women, typically on the chest wall, and from lung cancer in men, followed by colorectal and oral cancers. They appear as firm painless nodules and may be the first sign of an internal malignancy.

Option by option

  • A. The commonest source in women is breast cancer (correct)

    Correct. Breast carcinoma is the commonest source of skin metastases in women.

  • B. The commonest source in women is bladder cancer

    Bladder cancer is an uncommon source of skin metastases.

  • C. The commonest source in men is prostate cancer

    In men the commonest primaries are lung and colorectal cancers rather than prostate.

  • D. Most arise from primary renal cell carcinoma

    Renal cell carcinoma metastasises to skin less often and is not the leading source.

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 A, The commonest source in women is breast cancer. Cutaneous metastases most often arise from breast cancer in women, typically on the chest wall, and from lung cancer in men, followed by colorectal and oral cancers.

Why is "The commonest source in women is bladder cancer" not the answer?

Bladder cancer is an uncommon source of skin metastases.

Why is "The commonest source in men is prostate cancer" not the answer?

In men the commonest primaries are lung and colorectal cancers rather than prostate.

Why is "Most arise from primary renal cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Renal cell carcinoma metastasises to skin less often and is not the leading source.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: cutaneous metastases in Dermatology. They appear as firm painless nodules and may be the first sign of an internal malignancy.

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: cutaneous metastases?

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.