Skin tumours: acral 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: acral melanoma

Sample item

A 55-year-old Indian man has a darkly pigmented, irregular, enlarging macule on the sole. Which melanoma subtype is the most common in dark-skinned populations such as Indians?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Acral lentiginous melanoma

In Asian and African populations, melanoma most commonly arises on the palms, soles and subungual areas as acral lentiginous melanoma. Any changing pigmented lesion at these sites requires biopsy.

Option by option

  • A. Amelanotic melanoma

    Amelanotic melanoma is a pigment-poor variant and not the commonest subtype.

  • B. Lentigo maligna melanoma

    Lentigo maligna arises on chronically sun-damaged facial skin of the elderly.

  • C. Acral lentiginous melanoma (correct)

    Correct. Acral lentiginous melanoma predominates in darker skin.

  • D. Superficial spreading melanoma

    Superficial spreading melanoma is most common in fair-skinned people.

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, Acral lentiginous melanoma. In Asian and African populations, melanoma most commonly arises on the palms, soles and subungual areas as acral lentiginous melanoma.

Why is "Amelanotic melanoma" not the answer?

Amelanotic melanoma is a pigment-poor variant and not the commonest subtype.

Why is "Lentigo maligna melanoma" not the answer?

Lentigo maligna arises on chronically sun-damaged facial skin of the elderly.

Why is "Superficial spreading melanoma" not the answer?

Superficial spreading melanoma is most common in fair-skinned people.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: acral melanoma in Dermatology. Any changing pigmented lesion at these sites requires biopsy.

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: acral 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.