title: Merkel cell carcinoma and multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in a patient with pityriasis rubra pilaris.
abstract: A 79-year-old female was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) occurring on a background of pityriasis rubra pilaris. At the time of initial diagnosis and treatment for upper limb MCC, axillary nodal metastases were clinically evident. In the ensuing months, she developed multiple rapidly progressing SCC and eventually a left arm soft tissue deposit of metastatic MCC. Treatment involved multiple courses of fractionated radiotherapy. The salient clinical features and supporting evidence for this case are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Nghi T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Adrian R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cachia
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Veness
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010916:Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome