M L Haag1, L F Glass, N A Fenske. 1. Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy of the skin that often portends a poor prognosis. Since its first description by Toker in 1972, a plethora of case reports and articles regarding the etiopathogenesis and treatment have been published spanning multiple medical and surgical disciplines. Much confusion still exists regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this ominous tumor. OBJECT: Through extensive review of the medical, surgical, and pathological literature, to collate the observations of multiple investigators and summarize these findings. METHODS: Articles from journals of multiple subspecialties were carefully reviewed with particular emphasis placed on epidemiology, prognosis, histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, tumor origin, treatment, and work-up of Merkel cell carcinoma. RESULTS: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignant neoplasm. Local recurrence develops in 26-44% of patients despite therapy. Up to three-fourths of patients eventually develop regional nodal metastases with distant metastases occurring in one-third of all patients. Reported overall 5-year survival rates range from 30% to 64%. CONCLUSION: Treatment recommendations unfortunately are based more on anecdotal than scientific data because of the rarity of the tumor and its recognized high risk. Most authors recommend wide local excision of the primary lesion and regional lymph node resection if lymph nodes are palpable followed by x-irradiation of both the postsurgical bed and lymph node basin. The role of elective lymph node resection in the absence of clinically positive nodes remains controversial.
BACKGROUND:Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy of the skin that often portends a poor prognosis. Since its first description by Toker in 1972, a plethora of case reports and articles regarding the etiopathogenesis and treatment have been published spanning multiple medical and surgical disciplines. Much confusion still exists regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this ominous tumor. OBJECT: Through extensive review of the medical, surgical, and pathological literature, to collate the observations of multiple investigators and summarize these findings. METHODS: Articles from journals of multiple subspecialties were carefully reviewed with particular emphasis placed on epidemiology, prognosis, histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, tumor origin, treatment, and work-up of Merkel cell carcinoma. RESULTS:Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignant neoplasm. Local recurrence develops in 26-44% of patients despite therapy. Up to three-fourths of patients eventually develop regional nodal metastases with distant metastases occurring in one-third of all patients. Reported overall 5-year survival rates range from 30% to 64%. CONCLUSION: Treatment recommendations unfortunately are based more on anecdotal than scientific data because of the rarity of the tumor and its recognized high risk. Most authors recommend wide local excision of the primary lesion and regional lymph node resection if lymph nodes are palpable followed by x-irradiation of both the postsurgical bed and lymph node basin. The role of elective lymph node resection in the absence of clinically positive nodes remains controversial.
Authors: Henry Haeberle; Mika Fujiwara; Jody Chuang; Michael M Medina; Mayuri V Panditrao; Susanne Bechstedt; Jonathon Howard; Ellen A Lumpkin Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2004-09-24 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Ahmed Abu-Zaid; Ayman Azzam; Ahmed Al-Wusaibie; Maraei Bin Makhashen; Abdulaziz Jarman; Tarek Amin Journal: Case Rep Oncol Med Date: 2013-05-21