title: Merkel cell tumor masquerading as granulation tissue on a teenager's toe.
abstract: Merkel cell tumor (MCT) typically occurs on the head or neck of elderly patients. A case is presented of a teenage girl with an MCT on her toe. The diagnosis was made 5 years after an ingrown nail on the toe was avulsed. During the interim 5 years, the periungual skin looked like granulation tissue and thus no biopsy was performed. This case of MCT is unique in three aspects: (a) extraordinarily young age, (b) atypical site, and (c) deceptive clinical appearance. Awareness of the possible occurrence of MCT in younger patients and in unusual locations will facilitate earlier diagnosis.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Goldenhersh
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Prus
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Ron
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Rosenmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D014034:Toes