title: [Case reports on the importance of the locoregional radiotherapy of Merkel cell tumor].
abstract: The Merkel cell tumor is becoming an increasingly diagnosed primary neoplasm of the skin. This subepidermal tumor is commonly located on the head and neck or extremities of elderly patients. Occasionally misinterpreted as cutaneous metastases, they show a high rate of local recurrence (27 to 52%) and distant metastatic spread (18 to 52%). The definitive diagnosis can be made with immunohistochemistry. Wide surgical excision with postoperative irradiation to the local site and regional lymphatics is the therapy of choice. In seven patients we describe management strategies and discuss their clinical results.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinikum, Göttingen.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mäurer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matthaei
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergholz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Halling
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dühmke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Kasuistische Beiträge zur Bedeutung der lokoregionären Strahlentherapie des Merkel-Zell-Tumors.