Eyelid Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

The rarity of eyelid Merkel cell carcinoma and the fact that it can simulate benign entities frequently lead to difficulties in diagnosis and a delay in the establishment of suitable therapy.

Periocular Cutaneous Malignancies: A Review of the Literature

“…166,172 Unusual presentations, including a multinodular conjunctival mass and a tumor with tarsal invasion, have been reported. 172,173,[176][177][178] Immunohistochemistry is often needed to diagnose MCC, which exhibits a characteristic perinuclear dot pattern with CK-20 and stains positive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and others. 172,173,[176][177][178] Immunohistochemistry is often needed to diagnose MCC, which exhibits a characteristic perinuclear dot pattern with CK-20 and stains positive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and others.…”

“…[173][174][175] The diagnosis of MCC is uncommon, so this malignancy tends to be misdiagnosed initially, with the differential diagnosis including chalazion, BCC, cyst, nodular angiosarcoma, and metastasis; with the correct diagnosis being made only after biopsy. 172,173,[176][177][178] Immunohistochemistry is often needed to diagnose MCC, which exhibits a characteristic perinuclear dot pattern with CK-20 and stains positive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and others. 172,173,176 Metastatic small-cell lung cancer can mimic MCC histologically but stains with thyroid transcription factor-1, whereas MCC does not.…”

Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Extremity

“…5 At present, the role of SLNB in this disease remains unclear: it may have a role in selected patients detecting nodal involvement as an alternative to elective regional lymph node dissection that is associated with significant morbidity and no impact on survival. 5,12,15,18 Multiple studies have shown that adjuvant chemotherapy in the management of MCC has short-lived benefit, does not improve survival, 19 and has significant mortality associated with its use. 20 The role of chemotherapeutic agents is limited to metastatic disease or palliation of inoperable regional disease.…”

Merkel cell carcinoma masquerading as a chalazion

“…They tend to follow a predictable pattern of spread to the regional lymph nodes and then systemic metastasis. 5 Sentinel lymph node assessment assists in the staging of this tumour. 6 Kivela and Tarkkanen 2 reported that one third of these tumours recur, almost two thirds give rise to regional node metastases, and up to a half metastasize systemically and result in death.…”

“…The clinical and histopathologic differential diagnoses should also include lymphoma, leukemic infiltrate, metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung, and amelanotic melanoma. 5 Although MCC has characteristic clinical features, the diagnosis generally relies on histopathologic identification. 1 Immunohistochemistry is required to differentiate MCC from other small round cell tumours; however, clinical correlation may be required in differentiating MCC from other neuroendocrine tumours that have metastasized to the eyelids.…”