Neuroendocrine (Merkel-cell) carcinoma of the skin. Fine needle aspiration cytology and clinicopathologic study of a case.
Neuroendocrine (Merkel-cell) carcinoma of the skin, a neoplasm usually found in elderly individuals, is often locally aggressive and has the potential to metastasize to lymph nodes and cause death. Microscopically the neoplasm is a small-cell carcinoma that involves primarily the dermis. We report a case of such a neoplasm in a 61-year-old female, stressing the possible contribution of fine needle aspiration cytology in the recognition of this neoplasm and its differentiation from other small-cell neoplasms that may involve the skin.
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology