title: Cytological and Immunocytochemical Features of Merkel Cell Carcinoma on Fine Needle Cytology Samples: A Study of 22 Cases.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon neuroendocrine small cell tumor derived from the transformation of the homonymous cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. MCC has a generally aggressive course, with a high tendency for local recurrence, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis. Fine needle cytology (FNC) and immunocytochemistry were used as diagnostic procedures for 22 cases of MCC presented at our institute. All cases of MCC were successfully diagnosed on FNC. Among all of the monoclonal antisera used (CD56, CK20, CK MNF116, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin, and chromogranin), NSE and CD56 showed the highest frequency of positivity. The accuracy of the cytological diagnosis was 100% compared to the corresponding previous or subsequent pathological diagnoses. FNC and immunocytochemistry represent excellent and accurate diagnostic methods to distinguish MCC from other small-cell malignant entities.
authors.affiliation: S.S.D. di Citopatologia e S.C. di Anatomia Patologica, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", via Mariano Semmola, 80131, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cipolletta Campanile
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Malzone
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barizzi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manna
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gioioso
authors.forename: Annarosaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Chiara
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fulciniti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*