Skin tumours: cutaneous T-cell lymphoma staging therapy: 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 T-cell lymphoma staging therapy

Sample item

A 50-year-old has scaly erythematous patches on the buttocks and thighs for years, and biopsy shows epidermotropic atypical T cells. There are no plaques, tumours or nodes. What is the preferred initial treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Narrowband UVB phototherapy or PUVA

Early patch-stage mycosis fungoides is managed with skin-directed therapy such as topical steroids, narrowband UVB or PUVA, which gives long remissions and a normal life expectancy. Systemic chemotherapy and transplantation are reserved for advanced or refractory disease.

Option by option

  • A. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation

    Allogeneic transplantation is a last resort for advanced refractory disease.

  • B. CHOP chemotherapy

    CHOP chemotherapy is reserved for advanced disease and does not improve survival in early stages.

  • C. Narrowband UVB phototherapy or PUVA (correct)

    Correct. Skin-directed therapy such as phototherapy is first line for patch-stage disease.

  • D. Total skin electron beam alone with systemic chemotherapy

    Radiation with systemic chemotherapy is more aggressive than needed for early patch disease.

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, Narrowband UVB phototherapy or PUVA. Early patch-stage mycosis fungoides is managed with skin-directed therapy such as topical steroids, narrowband UVB or PUVA, which gives long remissions and a normal life expectancy.

Why is "Allogeneic stem cell transplantation" not the answer?

Allogeneic transplantation is a last resort for advanced refractory disease.

Why is "CHOP chemotherapy" not the answer?

CHOP chemotherapy is reserved for advanced disease and does not improve survival in early stages.

Why is "Total skin electron beam alone with systemic chemotherapy" not the answer?

Radiation with systemic chemotherapy is more aggressive than needed for early patch disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: cutaneous T-cell lymphoma staging therapy in Dermatology. Systemic chemotherapy and transplantation are reserved for advanced or refractory disease.

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 T-cell lymphoma staging therapy?

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.