Pigmentary disorders: albinism and skin cancer: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Pigmentary disorders: albinism and skin cancer

Sample item

A 25-year-old farm worker in India with oculocutaneous albinism has a scaly crusted ulcerated nodule on the sun-exposed scalp. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Squamous cell carcinoma

People with oculocutaneous albinism lack protective melanin and have a high risk of actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma, which is the most common skin cancer in them. Strict photoprotection is advised.

Option by option

  • A. Seborrhoeic keratosis

    Seborrhoeic keratosis is benign and not ulcerated.

  • B. Naevus

    A naevus is a stable benign pigmented lesion.

  • C. Squamous cell carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in albinism.

  • D. Melanoma

    Melanoma occurs but is less common than SCC in albinism.

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, Squamous cell carcinoma. People with oculocutaneous albinism lack protective melanin and have a high risk of actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma, which is the most common skin cancer in them.

Why is "Seborrhoeic keratosis" not the answer?

Seborrhoeic keratosis is benign and not ulcerated.

Why is "Naevus" not the answer?

A naevus is a stable benign pigmented lesion.

Why is "Melanoma" not the answer?

Melanoma occurs but is less common than SCC in albinism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders: albinism and skin cancer in Dermatology. Strict photoprotection is advised.

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 Pigmentary disorders: albinism and skin cancer?

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.