title: Neuroendocrine differentiation in primary Merkel cell carcinoma--possible prognostic significance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to examine the level of neuroendocrine differentiation to determine its association with clinicopathological parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five primary MCC samples were evaluated for neuroendocrine differentiation profiles by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to chromogranin-A, microtubule associated protein-2 and synaptophysin. The data were compared with clinical parameters to find out whether their expression correlates with prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, MCC shows a high degree of neuroendocrine differentiation. A higher expression of chromogranin-A and synaptophysin associated with benign behaviour. Chromogranin-A appeared to be the most important one in predicting the course of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low levels of neuroendocrine differentiation in MCC associates with poor prognosis. Chromogranin-A could be used to identify patients who might benefit from oncological treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, PO Box 266, FIN 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. virve.koljonen@hus.fi
authors.forename: Virve
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koljonen
authors.forename: Caj
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haglund
authors.forename: Erkki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tukiainen
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Böhling
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; C489788:MAP2 protein, human; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D016708:Synaptophysin