[Merkel cell carcinoma: study of 24 cases and review of the literature].
Merkel cell carcinoma is a cutaneous-neuroendocrine tumor, which may be difficult to diagnose and to treat.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyse the treatment and the recurrences of Merkel cell carcinoma.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed on the patients operated of a Merkel cell carcinoma between 1994 and 2004. Clinical data of the patients and the tumor, treatment (surgery and radiotherapy) and recurrences were entered in a database.


RESULTS
Twenty-four patients were operated (8 men and 16 women). The mean age at diagnosis was 71.5 years. The average follow-up was 30.8 months. The treatment was a large surgical removal of the tumor with immediate closure, systematically followed by radiotherapy. There were five recurrences and no death.


CONCLUSIONS
Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive tumor. Immediate closure after large surgical removal allows radiotherapy.
Louafi
A
A
Service de chirurgie plastique reconstructrice et esthétique, hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. drlouafi@yahoo.fr
Chaussard
H
H
Binder
J-P
JP
Revol
M
M
Servant
J-M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery