Which skin lesions can indicate hyperlipidemia?

The presence of xanthomas is specifically associated with hyperlipidemia. Xanthomas are lipid deposits that appear as yellowish or orange lesions on the skin and are indicative of underlying cholesterol or triglyceride abnormalities in the body. They can appear in various forms, such as tendinous xanthomas, planar xanthomas, and ergotic xanthomas, and are often found on areas such as the elbows, knees, and eyelids. The correlation between xanthomas and hyperlipidemia lies in the fact that elevated levels of lipids in the blood can lead to their formation.

In contrast, other options like melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma are types of skin cancers that do not indicate lipid metabolism or hyperlipidemia. Melanoma arises from melanocytes and has risk factors primarily related to UV exposure; squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are linked to chronic sun exposure and other environmental factors. They do not have any known association with lipid levels in the body. Hence, xanthomas serve as a more relevant indicator of hyperlipidemia compared to the other skin lesions listed.