BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive cutaneous neoplasm with a high propensity to metastasize to lymph nodes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of sentinel lymph node status in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. METHODS: A meta-analysis of case series of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma managed with sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Forty of 60 patients (67%) had a biopsy-negative sentinel lymph node; 97% of this group had no recurrence at 7.3 months median follow-up. Twenty patients (33%) had a biopsy-positive sentinel lymph node; 33% of this group experienced local, regional, or systemic recurrence at 12 months median follow-up. Risk of recurrence or metastasis was 19-fold greater in biopsy-positive patients (odds ratio, 18.9; p = 0.005). None of 15 biopsy-positive patients who underwent therapeutic lymph node dissection experienced a regional recurrence; 3 of 4 who did not receive therapeutic lymphadenectomy experienced regional recurrence. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node positivity is strongly predictive of a high short-term risk of recurrence or metastasis in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. Therapeutic lymph node dissection appears effective in preventing short-term regional nodal recurrence. Aggressive adjuvant treatment should be considered for patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes.
BACKGROUND:Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive cutaneous neoplasm with a high propensity to metastasize to lymph nodes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of sentinel lymph node status in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. METHODS: A meta-analysis of case series of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma managed with sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Forty of 60 patients (67%) had a biopsy-negative sentinel lymph node; 97% of this group had no recurrence at 7.3 months median follow-up. Twenty patients (33%) had a biopsy-positive sentinel lymph node; 33% of this group experienced local, regional, or systemic recurrence at 12 months median follow-up. Risk of recurrence or metastasis was 19-fold greater in biopsy-positive patients (odds ratio, 18.9; p = 0.005). None of 15 biopsy-positive patients who underwent therapeutic lymph node dissection experienced a regional recurrence; 3 of 4 who did not receive therapeutic lymphadenectomy experienced regional recurrence. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node positivity is strongly predictive of a high short-term risk of recurrence or metastasis in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. Therapeutic lymph node dissection appears effective in preventing short-term regional nodal recurrence. Aggressive adjuvant treatment should be considered for patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes.
Authors: Neal Bhatia; Andrew Blauvelt; Marc Brown; Whitney High; Craig T Leonardi; Ted Rosen; Linda Stein Gold; Eggert Stockfleth; Bruce Strober; Neil A Swanson; George Martin Journal: J Clin Aesthet Dermatol Date: 2014-07
Authors: George Martin; Bruce E Strober; Craig L Leonardi; Joel M Gelfand; Andrew Blauvelt; Arthur Kavanaugh; Linda Stein Gold; Brian Berman; Ted Rosen; Eggert Stockfleth Journal: J Clin Aesthet Dermatol Date: 2016-09-01
Authors: Jayme B Stokes; Katherine S Graw; Lynn T Dengel; Brian R Swenson; Todd W Bauer; Craig L Slingluff; Elihu J Ledesma Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2009-07-06 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Jennifer S Ko; Victor G Prieto; Paul J Elson; Ricardo E Vilain; Melissa P Pulitzer; Richard A Scolyer; Jordan P Reynolds; Melissa P Piliang; Marc S Ernstoff; Brian R Gastman; Steven D Billings Journal: Mod Pathol Date: 2015-11-06 Impact factor: 7.842