title: Merkel cell carcinoma in Israel.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and highly malignant skin tumor. We present the first report on the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma in Israel. Our findings, including average age of 69 years at diagnosis, equal sex distribution, disease location on sun-exposed skin, and an overall 3 year survival of 58%, are consistent with the data reported in the literature. Unique findings in our study were the predominance of Ashkenazic Jews and the excessive rate of second malignancies. This initial report on Merkel cell carcinoma in Israel emphasizes the need for increased awareness of this aggressive and potentially lethal skin malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oncology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rakowski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feinmesser
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bar Hanna
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sulkes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fenig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007585:Jews; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012042:Registries; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D016019:Survival Analysis