Merkel-cell carcinoma of the pinna.

Merkel-Cell carcinoma is a rare malignant skin tumour. It was first described as 'Trabecular Carcinoma' by Toker in 1972. Since then many reports have appeared in the literature, mainly in the dermatology, pathology and to a lesser extent, in the plastic surgery journals. Surprisingly, the topic is rarely discussed in the otolaryngology literature, though nearly fifty per cent of these tumours arise in the head and neck.