Neoadjuvant polychemotherapy in locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
A 72-year-old man presented with a Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the left cheek with concomitant nodal spread. A 61-year-old man presented with an MCC of the right thigh with rapid nodal recurrence.


METHODS
Skin biopsy samples proved the MCC nature of the neoplasm in both patients. Staging procedure included clinical and radiological investigations.


METHODS
Advanced stage II MCC.


RESULTS
Neoadjuvant cisplatin, etoposide and cyclophosphamide (EPC) regimen led to local control in the first patient and allowed curative surgery associated with adjuvant radiation therapy. Complete remission was maintained for 32 months. The second patient was treated by surgery plus radiation therapy. Nodal and cutaneous recurrences were treated with a neoadjuvant EPC regimen leading to a 5-year complete remission.
Jouary
Thomas
T
Dermatology Department, Skin Cancer Unit, St André's Hospital, Bordeaux, France. thomas.jouary@chu-bordeaux.fr
Lalanne
Nathalie
N
Siberchicot
François
F
Ricard
Anne-Sophie
AS
Versapuech
Julie
J
Lepreux
Sébastien
S
Delaunay
Michèle
M
Taieb
Alain
A
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016019:Survival Analysis
D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin
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