Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Which skin condition is characterized by a benign growth known as seborrhoeic keratoses?

1. Granuloma annulare

2. Psoriasis

3. Actinic keratosis

4. Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis

The correct answer is: Actinic keratosis

Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign tumors that appear as non-cancerous growths on the skin. They typically manifest as elevated, wart-like lesions that can be brown, black, or tan in color. The condition is commonly seen in older adults and can vary significantly in size and texture. Among the listed conditions, actinic keratosis is the one primarily associated with visible skin lesions and can sometimes be confused with seborrhoeic keratosis. However, actinic keratosis refers specifically to rough patches or scaly areas of skin resulting from long-term sun exposure and carries a risk of progressing to squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, seborrhoeic keratoses are not precancerous and are purely benign. The other options do not relate to benign growths similar to seborrhoeic keratosis: - Granuloma annulare is a skin condition characterized by ring-shaped lesions and is often self-limiting without the benign growth features of seborrhoeic keratosis. - Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches due to accelerated skin cell turnover, vastly different from the benign nature of seborrhoeic keratoses. - Chondrodermatitis