Merkel cell carcinoma: treatment and outcomes.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the current study was to determine the outcomes of patients with previously untreated Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin who were treated with curative intent.


METHODS
Between October 1984 and January 2002, 34 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone (2 patients) or combined with surgery (32 patients). Nine patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients had follow-up for a median of 3.0 years (range, 0.3 to 18.5 yrs). Follow-up on living patients ranged from 2.2 to 18.5 years (median, 7.1 yrs).


RESULTS
The 5-year outcomes were as follows: local control, 94%, locoregional control, 80%; freedom from distant metastases, 60%; cause-specific survival, 52%; and survival, 37%. No patient experienced a severe complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients treated aggressively with surgery and locoregional radiotherapy have about a 50% chance of cure. Limited data suggest that definitive radiotherapy alone or after incomplete macroscopic resection may control locoregional disease in a significant subset of patients. The dominant site of failure was distant.
McAfee
William J
WJ
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Morris
Christopher G
CG
Mendenhall
Charles M
CM
Werning
John W
JW
Mendenhall
Nancy Price
NP
Mendenhall
William M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents