title: Merkel cell carcinoma metastatic to the transverse colon: disease free after six years - cure or just prolonged remission?
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon but highly immunogenic skin malignancy that has the potential to metastasize to any site in the body. Despite treatment many patients experience relapse, often to distant sites beyond the site of initial treatment. The development of distant soft tissue or visceral metastases is considered incurable, despite treatment with prognosis usually being measured in months. We report the case of an elderly man who developed colonic metastases from a head and neck primary and with treatment has survived disease free for over 6 years. Such reports are infrequently documented and highlight the unpredictable nature of this disease.
authors: Head and Neck Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. michael.veness@swahs.health.gov.nsw.au
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Veness
authors: Julie R
authors: JR
authors: Howle
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*