title: Advances in Merkel cell carcinoma pathogenesis and management: a recently discovered virus, a new international consensus staging system and new diagnostic codes.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with a rising incidence and a high mortality rate. It occurs primarily in sun-exposed skin of older individuals. It is characterized by a high rate of local recurrence, regional lymph node metastases and distant metastases, occurring even after prompt treatment. Many controversies exist regarding its pathogenesis and optimal management. The discovery of Merkel cell polyomavirus has been a major breakthrough in understanding the aetiology of the disease. A recently adopted new international consensus staging system in combination with new international diagnostic codes are expected to facilitate future clinical trials and improve the management of patients. According to recent (2010) guidelines, most patients should be managed with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Athens School of Medicine, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Athens, Greece. electra.nicol@gmail.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicolaidou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mikrova
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Katsambas
mesh_terms: D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D032921:Consensus; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D038801:International Classification of Diseases / Q000639:trends; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*