Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck associated with Bowen's disease.
The Merkel cell carcinoma occurs primarily in the skin of the head and neck, and develops in the dermis with a trabecular growth pattern. Immunohistochemistry reveals positive staining for neuron-specific enolase, neurofilaments, cytokeratin and chromogranin A. Electron microscopically, the tumor cells contain dense-core granules, spinous cytoplasmic processes, desmosomes, zonulae adherentes and paranuclear filament aggregates besides frequent mitoses, focal necroses and lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltrates. The Merkel cell carcinoma is often co-existent with other malignancies such as squamous cell carcinoma or, as in the present study, with Bowen's disease. The definite diagnosis of the Merkel cell carcinoma can be effected only by electron microscopic examination of the tumor.
Schenk
P
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology II, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
Konrad
K
K
D000368:Aged; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure
D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; D007633:Keratins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase