title: Merkel cell carcinoma of the upper extremity: case report and an update.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but aggressive cutaneous primary small cell carcinoma. It is commonly seen in elderly affecting the head, neck, and extremities. Macroscopically may be difficult to distinguish MCC from other small cells neoplasms especially oat cell carcinoma of the lung.
  
  
  METHODS
  It is presented a case report concerning a 72 years old male with a MMC on the dorsal aspect of the right wrist. The patient underwent a diagnostic excisional biopsy and after the histological confirmation of the diagnosis a second excision was performed to achieve free margins. No postoperative radiation or adjuvant chemotherapy was given and within 9 years follow up no recurrence was reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although most cases present as localized disease treatment should be definitive due to high rates of local or systemic recurrence. Treatment includes excision of the lesion, lymphadenectomy, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy depending on the stage of the disease. Even when locoregional control is achieved close surveillance is required due to high rates of relapse.
authors.affiliation: General Hospital of Athens, Asklipion Voulas, Athens, Greece. mp2006gr@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Michail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papamichail
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nikolaidis
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolaidis
authors.forename: Chryssoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Glava
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lentzas
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marmagkiolis
authors.forename: Kriton
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karassavsa
authors.forename: Michail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Digalakis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014953:Wrist / Q000473:pathology