title: Development and rapid dissemination of Merkel-cell carcinomatosis following therapy with fludarabine and rituximab for relapsing follicular lymphoma.
abstract: This report deals with an unusual case of a patient with follicular small cleaved lymphocytic lymphoma who developed Merkel-cell carcinoma soon after receiving chemoimmunotherapy with a fludarabine-containing regimen and rituximab. The presentation of the Merkel-cell carcinoma in this patient was atypical because of the absence of dermal involvement and the very rapid clinical progression. In the light of recent reports which suggest a possible link between the immunocompromised state and the development of Merkel-cell carcinoma, the atypical presentation seen in this patient may indeed imply a possible link between the therapy given and the development of Merkel-cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation of Merkel-cell carcinoma appearing in a patient soon after treatment with fludarabine and/or rituximab.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Yossi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polliack
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine