Management of Merkel cell carcinoma.
Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon cutaneous malignancy. Although it is rare, Merkel cell carcinoma has been described as the most malignant primary skin tumor. It is therefore important that once diagnosed, Merkel cell carcinoma is treated appropriately. The aim of this short review is to provide a summary of the available literature to guide clinicians in the future management of such patients. Inevitably in such a rare disease, there are no randomized trials of therapy. The treatment of individual patients will rely on opinion as much as the 'evidence'.
Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Cancer Centre, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK. plunkett@icrf.icnet.uk
T A
TA
Plunkett
R
R
Subrumanian
M D
MD
Leslie
P G
PG
Harper
D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy