title: Unexpected histopathologic result of a wide surgical excision of a bleeding lesion of the skin: a case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the leg.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Merkel cell Carcinoma is a very rare primary cutaneous tumor that often looks like an innocuous and asymptomatic nodule or plaque of the skin, but with a very fast growing. It is also called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin or trabecular cancer. The main treatment is based on a local excision followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The most common site of presentation of this lesion is head and neck (40-60%.) and it often occur in older men with immunological system dysfunction like HIV patients, cancer, severe infections and immunosuppression for transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report a case of a bleeding Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the right leg in a 83 years old man with HCV infection, chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 that required local excision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lesion was entirely removed and then patient was sent to oncologists. After two months from surgical excision, healing process is regular and without complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This type of tumor can be misdiagnosed and, if bleeding, it can represent a serious surgical emergency.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cestaro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Festa
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cricrì
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antropoli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castriconi
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome