title: Merkel cell carcinoma: case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive neuroendocrine cell carcinoma arising in the epidermis of patients aged >60 years. This lesion is found in sun-exposed areas and presents as a small violet raised nodule. It is usually painless and rapidly growing. Although its clinical presentation and characteristic histology are usually sufficient, immunohistochemical features are helpful in making an accurate diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a 62-year-old male with epidermoid carcinoma of the lung who was treated with surgery and local radiation for 2 months. He presented a painless 8-cm subcutaneous mass of some weeks of evolution, without inflammatory signs. Computerized tomography demonstrated a mass of probable lymph node origin. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) reported malignant cells and excisional surgery of the mass was performed, revealing a subcutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare entity that develops in mature patients, often in sun-exposed areas, and presents cutaneous injury in intact skin. Definitive diagnosis is done using immunohistochemistry.
authors.affiliation: Cirugía General y Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Spain. susisg_83@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sánchez-García
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manzanares-Campillo
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Menéndez-Sánchez
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Atienza
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martín-Fernández
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001365:Axilla; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011859:Radiography; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin