title: Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Favorable outcomes with radiotherapy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck using a radiation-based treatment approach.
  
  
  
  We reviewed records of 106 consecutive patients with MCC of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy (RT) at our institution between 1988 and 2011. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated.
  
  
  
  The 5-year actuarial local and regional control rates were 96% and 96%, respectively. There were no regional recurrences in 22 patients treated with RT to gross nodal disease without neck dissection. The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 76%. Lymphadenopathy at presentation impacted distant metastatic-free survival outcomes (p < .001). Treatment was well tolerated with only 5 patients having grade ≥3 toxicities.
  
  
  
  For MCC of the head and neck, a management strategy that includes RT offers excellent locoregional control. Gross nodal disease can be successfully treated with RT. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E452-E458, 2016.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Bishop
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Adam S
authors: AS
authors: Garden
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: G Brandon
authors: GB
authors: Gunn
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: David I
authors: DI
authors: Rosenthal
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Beth M
authors: BM
authors: Beadle
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Clifton D
authors: CD
authors: Fuller
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Lawrence B
authors: LB
authors: Levy
authors: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Ann M
authors: AM
authors: Gillenwater
authors: Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Merrill S
authors: MS
authors: Kies
authors: Orbital Oncology and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Program, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Bita
authors: B
authors: Esmaeli
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Steven J
authors: SJ
authors: Frank
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Phan
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors: William H
authors: WH
authors: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: Merkel cell carcinoma; adjuvant therapy; cutaneous neuroendocrine; head and neck; radiotherapy