Skin tumours: keratoacanthoma: 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: keratoacanthoma

Sample item

A 65-year-old farmer has a 1.5 cm dome-shaped nodule on the cheek with a central keratin-filled crater that appeared and enlarged over 5 weeks. What is the appropriate approach?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Excisional biopsy, since it may represent well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma

Keratoacanthoma grows rapidly over weeks with a central keratin plug and can regress spontaneously, but it is regarded as a low-grade SCC variant. Excision with histology is preferred because distinguishing it from invasive SCC can be difficult. Sun-exposed sites in older adults are typical.

Option by option

  • A. Oral antibiotics

    It is not bacterial in origin.

  • B. Topical antifungal

    It is not fungal.

  • C. Excisional biopsy, since it may represent well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. Complete excision with histology is advised.

  • D. Observation alone because all regress

    Observation risks missing SCC.

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, Excisional biopsy, since it may represent well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Keratoacanthoma grows rapidly over weeks with a central keratin plug and can regress spontaneously, but it is regarded as a low-grade SCC variant.

Why is "Oral antibiotics" not the answer?

It is not bacterial in origin.

Why is "Topical antifungal" not the answer?

It is not fungal.

Why is "Observation alone because all regress" not the answer?

Observation risks missing SCC.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: keratoacanthoma in Dermatology. Excision with histology is preferred because distinguishing it from invasive SCC can be difficult. Sun-exposed sites in older adults are typical.

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: keratoacanthoma?

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.