The overgrowth of scar tissue above and beyond the normal boundaries of the scar is called?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

A keloid is a specific type of raised scar characterized by an overgrowth of dense fibrous tissue.
The defining feature of a keloid is that its growth extends beyond the original boundaries of the skin injury.
This abnormal proliferation of collagen results from a dysregulated wound healing response.
Keloids do not regress on their own and have a high tendency to recur after being surgically removed.

Option A: Dehiscence is the separation of wound edges, a failure of healing, not an overgrowth of scar tissue.
Option B: Neoplasia is a general term for any new, abnormal growth of cells (a tumor), which is distinct from the specific process of scar formation.
Option D: A gaping wound is a descriptive term for a wide, open injury before or during the healing process, not a type of scar that forms after healing.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Wound Healing Complications as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must identify patients at high risk for keloids (e.g., individuals with darker skin tones, a personal or family history) and provide education on preventive measures.
Post-procedure care is critical. Nurses should instruct patients on the use of pressure garments, silicone gel sheets, and intralesional steroid injections as prescribed to manage and minimize keloid formation.
What if the scar was raised but stayed within the original wound boundaries? In that case, the correct diagnosis would be a 'hypertrophic scar,' which has a better prognosis and is managed differently than a keloid.

How to Approach the Question

This is a recall-based question testing knowledge of wound healing terminology.
First, break down the question stem to identify the core concepts: 1) 'overgrowth of scar tissue' and 2) 'above and beyond the normal boundaries'.
Evaluate each option against these two criteria.
Eliminate 'Dehiscence' and 'Gaping wound' as they describe wound opening, not scar formation.
Differentiate between 'Neoplasia' (general abnormal growth/tumor) and 'Keloid' (specific scar tissue overgrowth).
Recognize that 'Keloid' is the precise medical term for scar tissue that grows beyond the original wound, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QKo9fY6_9wh-SMCx7jPUBp

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 119-121

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1929-1931

E6 Pathology-Textbook of PATHOLOGYHarsh Mohan Part 1 (1-214) p. 138-140

Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.