title: Epidemiological, Clinicopathological and Virological Features of Merkel Cell Carcinomas in Medical Center of University of Pécs, Hungary (2007-2012).
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive skin tumour. In 2008, a Merkel cell polyomavirus (MC) was identified in MCCs as a potential etiological factor of MCC. The aims of this retrospective study were to investigate the epidemiological, clinicopathological and virological features of MCCs. Between 2007 and 2012, 11 patients had been diagnosed with MCC by histological methods in University of Pécs, Hungary. In eight MCC cases MC was tested by PCR (in primary skin lesions, lymph nodes/cutan metastases, MCC neighboring carcinomas). Clinicopathological characteristics (age, histological pattern, lymphovascular invasion, co-morbidities) of MC-positive and MC-negative cases were compared. MC was detected in three (37.5%) out of eight patients' primary tumour or metastasis. The average age was 73.8 (64.3 in MC-positive group). Except the youngest, 55 year-old patient (the primary tumour appeared on his leg), all tumours were found at the head and neck region. Immunosuppression (steroid therapy, chronic lymphoid leukaemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and/or old age were characteristic for all cases. Histological pattern was different in MC-positive and in MC-negative groups: MCCs with MC showed more homogeneous histological pattern, lack of lymphovascular invasion and were associated with better prognosis (mortality rate: 33% versus 80%). MCC associated with oncogenic virus is a newly recognized clinical entity. However, MC could not be detected in all histologically proven MCCs. The well-defined selection of patients/disease groups and better characterization of differences between MC-positive and negative cases is an important step towards the recognition of the etiology and pathogenesis of all MCCs.
authors: Regional Laboratory of Virology, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Szabadság út 7., Pécs, H-7623, Hungary.|Department of Pathology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
authors: Katalin Barbara
authors: KB
authors: Horváth
authors: Regional Laboratory of Virology, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Szabadság út 7., Pécs, H-7623, Hungary.
authors: Péter
authors: P
authors: Pankovics
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
authors: Endre
authors: E
authors: Kálmán
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
authors: Zsolt
authors: Z
authors: Kádár
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
authors: Zita
authors: Z
authors: Battyáni
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
authors: Zsuzsanna
authors: Z
authors: Lengyel
authors: Regional Laboratory of Virology, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Szabadság út 7., Pécs, H-7623, Hungary. reuter.gabor@gmail.com.
authors: Gábor
authors: G
authors: Reuter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: DNA tumour virus; Merkel cell carcinoma; Merkel cell polyomavirus; Skin tumour