title: Merkel cell carcinoma: an aggressive skin neoplasm.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin neoplasm of neuroendocrine origin. To clarify those factors important in improving survival, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with Merkel cell carcinoma treated at two tertiary referral centers. Eighty percent of the patients with stage I disease were initially treated with local therapy alone, while all of the patients with stage II disease were treated with local and regional therapy. The overall survival rate for all patients was 64%. Regardless of stage, patients treated with local excision alone had a 52% 5-year survival rate, while patients treated with local excision and lymph node dissection had an 87% survival rate. We conclude that the aggressive nature of this tumor warrants radical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA Medical Center 90024-1624.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bielamowicz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abemayor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors