title: Merkel cell carcinoma: a report of three cases with neurone-specific enolase activity.
abstract: Three cases are described of a primary cutaneous neoplasm occurring in elderly patients, histological and immunohistochemical features of which support an origin from Merkel cells. Microscopically sheets of uniform small cells filled the dermis, often with a prominent trabecular pattern. Ultrastructurally the cells showed neurosecretory granules, tangles of microfilaments, scattered mitochondria and occasional intranuclear rodlets. Immunohistochemical staining for neurone-specific enolase was positive and for prekeratin was negative in each case. The definitive diagnosis of Merkel cell tumour can be made with a combination of electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase