An analysis of prognostic factors in cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Since the first report of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell carcinoma) in 1972, knowledge of the biological behavior of this tumor has continued to increase. This study reviews three previously unreported cases in addition to reports on 429 patients collected from the literature. The presenting features of these 306 patients were analyzed for frequency and then were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazard model for the relationship of each to recurrence and outcome. This study confirms that cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma is an aggressive disease; that the most common cause of death in these patients is by distant metastasis; and that men have succumbed more frequently than women. As a result of this study, aggressive treatment of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma is recommended, especially in the male patient.