Inflammation and repair: hypertrophic scar versus keloid: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Inflammation and repair: hypertrophic scar versus keloid

Sample item

A raised scar appears over a sternotomy wound within weeks, stays within the margins of the original incision and regresses partly over a year. How does this differ from a keloid?

AA keloid is always premalignantBA keloid has less collagen than a hypertrophic scarCA keloid contains only type III collagenDA keloid extends beyond the wound margin and rarely regresses

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. A keloid extends beyond the wound margin and rarely regresses

A hypertrophic scar stays within the wound boundaries and often regresses, whereas a keloid grows beyond the original wound, tends to recur after excision and shows thick, glassy, hyalinised collagen bundles. Neither is premalignant.

Option by option

A. A keloid is always premalignant
Keloids are benign and not premalignant.
B. A keloid has less collagen than a hypertrophic scar
Keloids contain excess collagen, not less.
C. A keloid contains only type III collagen
Keloid collagen is mainly thick type I bundles, not only type III.
D. A keloid extends beyond the wound margin and rarely regresses (correct)
Correct. Keloids spread beyond wound margins and seldom regress.

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.

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, A keloid extends beyond the wound margin and rarely regresses. A hypertrophic scar stays within the wound boundaries and often regresses, whereas a keloid grows beyond the original wound, tends to recur after excision and shows thick, glassy, hyalinised collagen bundles.

Why is "A keloid is always premalignant" not the answer?

Keloids are benign and not premalignant.

Why is "A keloid has less collagen than a hypertrophic scar" not the answer?

Keloids contain excess collagen, not less.

Why is "A keloid contains only type III collagen" not the answer?

Keloid collagen is mainly thick type I bundles, not only type III.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Inflammation and repair: hypertrophic scar versus keloid in Pathology. Neither is premalignant.

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 Inflammation and repair: hypertrophic scar versus keloid?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.