Pathology · single question
A patient presents with diffuse bronzing/tan pigmentation of the skin and oral mucosa. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Addison disease
- A. Correct. Addison disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) raises ACTH/MSH, causing diffuse bronzing of skin and patchy oral melanin pigmentation.
- B. Peutz-Jeghers gives discrete perioral/labial macules with GI polyps, not diffuse tanning.
- C. Hemochromatosis causes a bronze/gray skin hue but is not the classic oral-pigmentation 'tan skin' answer here.
- D. Physiologic pigmentation is localized racial gingival pigment, not generalized skin bronzing.