Merkel cell carcinoma -- a rarity in the urogenital tract.
BACKGROUND
Merkel cell carcinoma -- a rare, aggressive cancer of the skin integument - is being increasingly diagnosed but represents an absolute rarity in the urogenital tract.


METHODS
We report on a 70-year-old man who was referred to us with suspected testicular cancer. The pathology report revealed a metastasized Merkel cell carcinoma. Fulminant disease progression under chemo-therapy (regimen as for small cell lung cancer) resulted in death 5 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
The patient described is considered to be the first to develop testicular metastasis derived from Merkel cell carcinoma. Besides neuroendocrine and epithelial antigen tests, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy is a helpful diagnostic tool. New receptor-associated therapies may allow more effective and less toxic treatment modalities in the mostly elderly or immune deficient patients.
Schwindl
Bernhard
B
Department of Urology, Klinikum Weiden, Germany. bernhard.schwindl@klinikum-weiden.de
Meissner
Andreas
A
Giedl
Josef
J
Klotz
Theodor
T
D000368:Aged; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary