Spontaneous regression in an ulcerated CK7 positive Merkel cell carcinoma.
Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive and frequently lethal tumor of the elderly, associated with sun exposure and immunosuppression which is less common in the dark-skinned. We report the case of a 40-year-old woman who presented with multiple slowly progressive, mildly itchy ulcerated plaques of size ranging from 2 × 3 cm to 5 × 7 cm on the left knee of 1 year duration. Skin biopsy showed diffuse dermal infiltration by small round cells with molding of cells and lymphocyte infiltration. The cells stained positive for cytokeratin (CK) 20, CK7, neuron-specific enolase, and chromogranin. The skin lesions underwent spontaneous regression within 1 month of skin biopsy and have not recurred during the past 2 years. The immune mechanisms triggered by biopsy possibly explain the spontaneous regression.
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India.
Anza
A
Khader
Sandhya
S
George
Swapna
S
Balakrishnan
Karumathil Puthiaveetil
KP
Aravindan
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053552:Keratin-7 / Q000032:analysis*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053552:Keratin-7