title: Neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinomas of the skin: an ultrastructural study of nine cases.
abstract: Nine neuroendocrine tumors of the skin were examined by light and electron microscopy. The patients (7 males and 2 females) had an average age of 57 years. Seven tumors were located in the head and neck region. Light microscopic examination showed sheets of cells. In 4 cases, a tendency to form small groups of cells was observed. Contact with the epidermis was seen in only 2 cases. The dominant ultrastructural feature was the presence of cytoplasmic processes that contained membrane-bound granules 100-200 nm. Three tumors recurred locally, and in 7 patients, regional nodal metastases occurred. Three patients died of disseminated disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas System Cancer Center, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mackay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004817:Epidermis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*