Skin tumours: biopsy of suspected melanoma: 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: biopsy of suspected melanoma

Sample item

A 1 cm irregular pigmented lesion on the back is clinically suspicious for melanoma. Which biopsy technique is preferred for diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Full-thickness excision with narrow margins

Suspected melanoma should be sampled by full-thickness excision with narrow margins, or an incisional or punch biopsy of the thickest part for large lesions, so that the Breslow thickness can be measured accurately. Shave biopsy can transect the base and make thickness unreliable. Destructive methods remove the tissue needed for staging.

Option by option

  • A. Superficial shave biopsy

    A shave biopsy may transect the lesion and understate depth, which alters staging and margins.

  • B. Cryotherapy before biopsy

    Cryotherapy destroys the lesion before a diagnosis is made.

  • C. Full-thickness excision with narrow margins (correct)

    Correct. A full-thickness sample preserves the tumour base for accurate Breslow thickness.

  • D. Curettage and cautery

    Curettage and cautery destroy the tissue and prevent staging.

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, Full-thickness excision with narrow margins. Suspected melanoma should be sampled by full-thickness excision with narrow margins, or an incisional or punch biopsy of the thickest part for large lesions, so that the Breslow thickness can be measured accurately.

Why is "Superficial shave biopsy" not the answer?

A shave biopsy may transect the lesion and understate depth, which alters staging and margins.

Why is "Cryotherapy before biopsy" not the answer?

Cryotherapy destroys the lesion before a diagnosis is made.

Why is "Curettage and cautery" not the answer?

Curettage and cautery destroy the tissue and prevent staging.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: biopsy of suspected melanoma in Dermatology. Shave biopsy can transect the base and make thickness unreliable. Destructive methods remove the tissue needed for staging.

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: biopsy of suspected melanoma?

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.