title: Clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy with a high mortality rate. Diagnosis is often delayed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the dermoscopic features of MCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and dermoscopic images of 12 biopsy-proven MCCs were analysed in a retrospective manner, with existing dermoscopic criteria being scored independently by three dermatologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The four most frequent clinical features were cherry red colour, shiny surface, sharp circumscription and nodular morphology. Significant dermoscopic features included linear irregular and polymorphous vessels, poorly focused vessels, milky pink areas, white areas, structureless areas and architectural disorder. Pigmented structures were absent from all lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dermoscopic features described herein help the clinician to distinguish MCC from other benign and malignant red nodules. Increasing recognition of the presenting features will facilitate earlier diagnosis of MCC and reduced mortality.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Melanoma Service, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia. chris.jalilian@gmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jalilian
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haskett
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosendahl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keir
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosking
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D046169:Dermoscopy; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*