title: [Clinical aspects and therapy of Merkel cell tumor--report of 4 personal cases and review of the literature].
abstract: Four cases of Merkel cell tumor located in the face or on the trunk are presented. In a literature review 339 cases were found and analysed. The Merkel cell tumor is a neuroendocrine tumor of the skin derived from the Merkel cells. It is located most often in the face and neck area. Typically, it is an exophytic node, has a red-blue color and measures 25 mm in diameter on the average. Since it is metastasizing it is a malignant tumor. Regional node metastases were found in 27%, local recurrences occur in 51%, and distant metastases were seen in 32% of the cases. The best therapy is excision with wide margins as is the rule for a malignant skin tumor. While the tumor reacts to radiotherapy, chemotherapy seems to be of no help.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Zahn-, Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, Universitätskrankenhaus Eppendorf, Hamburg.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hellner
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Meyer-Pannwitt
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gundlach
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Schreiber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Klinik und Therapie des Merkelzelltumors--Bericht über 4 eigene Fälle sowie Literaturübersicht.