title: [Merkel cell carcinoma: follow-up of 10 patients. Current diagnosis and therapy].
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neoplasm of the skin predominantly found on the head and extremities. Clinically MCC presents as a rapidly growing red or violaceous, dome-shaped, solitary tumor. The clinical and histological diagnosis of MCC remains difficult. Distinction from poorly differentiated small cell primary tumors or metastasis requires immunohistochemical analysis and-if available-electron-microscopic studies. We report on the follow-up of 10 patients with MCC treated in the past 6 years at our department. In nine patients the tumors were completely removable; in one patient with a large primary tumor of the upper lip no histologically proven complete excision could be performed. After a median follow-up of 42 months, local recurrence or lymph node involvement was observed in three patients. Two patients died following disseminated metastases, one elderly patient due to cardiac insufficiency. Our observations demonstrate that MCC is a potentially aggressive cutaneous tumor. Adequate primary surgical and adjuvant therapy as well as careful follow-up are mandatory.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Hautklinik Kiel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hauschild
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rademacher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Röwert
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Christophers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005121:Extremities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor