title: Spontaneous regression of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin predominantly affecting elderly Caucasians. It has a high rate of local recurrence and regional lymph node metastases. It is associated with a poor prognosis. Complete spontaneous regression of Merkel cell carcinoma has been reported but is a poorly understood phenomenon. Here we present a case of complete spontaneous regression of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma demonstrating a markedly different pattern of events from those previously published.
authors.affiliation: HOPE Directorate, St James Hospital, James's St, Dublin 8.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed