title: Spontaneous regression of recurrent and metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant neuroendocrine tumor with a high rate of recurrence and metastasis. Despite its high degree of malignancy, spontaneous regression has been documented. We report an 87-year-old woman who presented with recurrent MCC on her left cheek and regional lymph node metastasis. Although she received no treatment due to her poor condition, the recurrent metastatic lesion regressed spontaneously within 2 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Field of Sensory Organology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan. lupin28@m3.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hidemichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukushige
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanzaki
authors.forename: Takuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanekura
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure