Q.1 Which type of skin cancer is most commonly associated with prolonged sun exposure?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
Explanation - Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer and is strongly associated with chronic sun exposure, especially in fair-skinned individuals.
Correct answer is: Basal cell carcinoma
Q.2 Which skin malignancy is known for its high metastatic potential despite being rare?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Actinic keratosis
Explanation - Melanoma is rare compared to BCC and SCC but has a high potential for metastasis and can be fatal if not detected early.
Correct answer is: Melanoma
Q.3 A pearly, translucent nodule with telangiectasia on the face most likely indicates:
Squamous cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Kaposi sarcoma
Explanation - The classic presentation of BCC includes a pearly nodule with visible small blood vessels (telangiectasia), often on sun-exposed areas.
Correct answer is: Basal cell carcinoma
Q.4 Which gene mutation is most commonly associated with familial melanoma?
TP53
CDKN2A
BRAF
PTEN
Explanation - Mutations in the CDKN2A gene are the most common inherited mutations associated with familial melanoma.
Correct answer is: CDKN2A
Q.5 Which malignant skin tumor often arises from pre-existing actinic keratosis?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
Explanation - Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) frequently develops from actinic keratosis, a precancerous lesion caused by UV exposure.
Correct answer is: Squamous cell carcinoma
Q.6 Which skin cancer is commonly associated with immunosuppressed patients, such as transplant recipients?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Explanation - SCC has a higher incidence and more aggressive behavior in immunosuppressed individuals.
Correct answer is: Squamous cell carcinoma
Q.7 The ABCDE rule in dermatology is primarily used to evaluate:
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Kaposi sarcoma
Explanation - The ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving) helps in early detection of melanoma.
Correct answer is: Melanoma
Q.8 Which skin malignancy is most likely to present as a rapidly growing, firm, painless nodule in elderly patients?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Explanation - Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but aggressive tumor that typically presents as a fast-growing, painless nodule in older adults.
Correct answer is: Merkel cell carcinoma
Q.9 Which mutation is most frequently found in cutaneous melanomas arising on intermittently sun-exposed skin?
TP53
BRAF V600E
PTEN
CDKN2A
Explanation - BRAF V600E mutation is common in melanomas on intermittently sun-exposed skin, and targeted therapies exist for this mutation.
Correct answer is: BRAF V600E
Q.10 Which type of skin cancer rarely metastasizes but can cause significant local tissue destruction?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Kaposi sarcoma
Explanation - BCC rarely spreads but can cause extensive local damage if untreated.
Correct answer is: Basal cell carcinoma
Q.11 Which skin malignancy may present with ulceration and hyperkeratotic surface on sun-exposed areas?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Explanation - SCC often arises on sun-exposed areas and can present as a hyperkeratotic lesion that may ulcerate.
Correct answer is: Squamous cell carcinoma
Q.12 Which virus is associated with the development of Kaposi sarcoma?
HPV
HHV-8
EBV
HSV-1
Explanation - Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is a key factor in Kaposi sarcoma pathogenesis.
Correct answer is: HHV-8
Q.13 A rapidly enlarging pigmented lesion with irregular borders is most suspicious for:
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Seborrheic keratosis
Explanation - Rapid growth, irregular borders, and color variation in a pigmented lesion suggest melanoma.
Correct answer is: Melanoma
Q.14 Which skin tumor is associated with UV-induced p53 mutations?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Kaposi sarcoma
Explanation - UV-induced DNA damage often results in p53 mutations, which are commonly seen in SCC.
Correct answer is: Squamous cell carcinoma
Q.15 Which feature distinguishes nodular melanoma from superficial spreading melanoma?
Growth in radial phase
Growth in vertical phase
Arising on non-sun-exposed skin
Association with actinic keratosis
Explanation - Nodular melanoma primarily grows vertically, increasing the risk of early metastasis, unlike superficial spreading melanoma which initially grows radially.
Correct answer is: Growth in vertical phase
Q.16 Which skin malignancy is classically associated with immunosuppression and chronic lymphedema?
Kaposi sarcoma
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Explanation - Kaposi sarcoma frequently occurs in immunosuppressed patients and can appear in areas of chronic lymphedema.
Correct answer is: Kaposi sarcoma
Q.17 Which skin tumor is most likely to arise from a melanocytic nevus?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
Explanation - Melanoma can develop from pre-existing nevi, especially if there are changes in size, color, or shape.
Correct answer is: Melanoma
Q.18 Which tumor shows a high rate of local recurrence if excised with narrow margins?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
Explanation - BCC has a high local recurrence rate if excision margins are insufficient, especially in the head and neck region.
Correct answer is: Basal cell carcinoma
Q.19 Which type of melanoma is most common in sun-protected areas and often affects elderly patients of Asian or African descent?
Superficial spreading melanoma
Acral lentiginous melanoma
Nodular melanoma
Lentigo maligna melanoma
Explanation - Acral lentiginous melanoma occurs on palms, soles, or under nails and is more common in darker-skinned individuals.
Correct answer is: Acral lentiginous melanoma
Q.20 Which histological feature is most characteristic of basal cell carcinoma?
Keratin pearls
Peripheral palisading
Pagetoid spread
Spindle cell proliferation
Explanation - BCC often shows nests of basaloid cells with peripheral palisading under the microscope.
Correct answer is: Peripheral palisading
Q.21 Which chemotherapy agent is commonly used in metastatic melanoma with BRAF mutation?
Cisplatin
Vemurafenib
Methotrexate
Bleomycin
Explanation - Vemurafenib is a BRAF inhibitor used for patients with metastatic melanoma harboring BRAF V600 mutations.
Correct answer is: Vemurafenib
Q.22 Which skin tumor is strongly associated with arsenic exposure?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Kaposi sarcoma
Explanation - Chronic arsenic exposure increases the risk of SCC, often on non-sun-exposed areas.
Correct answer is: Squamous cell carcinoma
Q.23 Which melanoma subtype typically has the slowest growth and can remain in situ for years?
Nodular melanoma
Lentigo maligna melanoma
Acral lentiginous melanoma
Superficial spreading melanoma
Explanation - Lentigo maligna melanoma grows slowly, primarily in the horizontal (radial) plane and can remain in situ for many years.
Correct answer is: Lentigo maligna melanoma
Q.24 Which feature is characteristic of Merkel cell carcinoma histologically?
Basaloid cells with peripheral palisading
Small round blue cells with high mitotic rate
Keratin pearls
Pagetoid spread of melanocytes
Explanation - Merkel cell carcinoma shows small, round blue cells with high mitotic activity, reflecting its aggressive nature.
Correct answer is: Small round blue cells with high mitotic rate