title: [Merkel cell carcinoma: descriptive study of 24 cases (1993-2001)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin tumor with a highly malignant nature whose appropriate treatment is still debated. Wide surgery is the treatment of choice, but the question concerning protocols for adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy remains open.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 24 cases of MCC collected over a period of 9 years was performed, focusing on clinical and histologic features, and response to treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 17 women and 7 men with a mean age of 74.3 years. The median follow up was 34 months. The annual incidence per 100,000 habitants was 0.378. The head and neck localization was predominant (54%). Fifteen (68%) of patients presented with local disease (stage I), and 32% of patients presented with regional node (stage II) or distant metastases (stage III). Patients with stage I had a 5-years overall survival rate of 73,85%. Among them, five patients (33%) developed a local or nodal recurrence, although two patients were initially treated with surgery and local post-operative radiotherapy. Patients with stage II and III demonstrated a 5-year overall survival rate of 51,43%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our series illustrates the clinical characteristics of this tumor of the elderly, which is mainly located on head and neck and associated with a poor prognosis. Treatments are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier universitaire, 2, place Saint-Jacques, 25030 Besançon cedex, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benessahraoui
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dalstein
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lorchel
authors.forename: M-P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Algros
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puzenat
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Louvat
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hassam
authors.forename: P-H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Humbert
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aubin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis
vernacular_title: Carcinome à cellules de Merkel: étude descriptive de 24 cas (1993-2001).