Another Case of Spontaneous Regression of Merkel Cell (Neuroendocrine) Carcinoma

Abstract

Spontaneous regression of MCC has been documented. The reason for regression is unknown. Further study of these rare cases may in the future provide more answers than questions.

Spontaneous regression in primary cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma: a rare immune phenomenon?

“…Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant highly aggressive tumour arising from neuroendocrine cells 1 . Despite the aggressive course of MCC, 11 previous cases of regression in MCC have been reported in the English literature and four additional cases are only available in Japanese 2–9 …”

“…The estimated prevalence of spontaneous regression when considering all neoplastic disease has been reported as less than one case of regression in 60 000–100 000 neoplasms 10 . In a review of the English literature we have found 11 previously reported cases of partial/complete regression of MCC, three of them with nodal metastasis that also regressed 2–9 . In most cases regression of the primary tumour was preceded by a biopsy of the lesion; a procedure that may stimulate the immune system against neoplastic disease.…”

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with a lymphoepithelioma-like histological pattern

“…Over recent years, eight patients (five women and three men) with spontaneously regressing NCS have been reported; 3–9 in six of these, regression was related to cell‐mediated immunity, due to an abundant population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD3+ , CD8+), and in four cases it was associated with a more favourable clinical course 4–7 . However, the patient reported by Rosso et al 1 .…”

Totalendoprothetischer Hüftgelenkersatz bei metastasiertem Merkel-Zellkarzinom

“…Die elektive Lymphknotendissektion war in einer retrospektiven Studie von Allen et al [1] der einzige unabhängige Parameter bezüglich der Vorhersehbarkeit eines verbesserten rezidivfreien Intervalls. In der Literatur wurden seltene Einzelfallberichte einer spontanen Regression des Tumors beschrieben [5,26]. Insgesamt ist die Prognose des Merkel-Zellkarzinoms mit 1-, 2-und 3-Jahres-Überlebensraten von 88%, 72% und 55% als schlecht anzusehen [11].…”