Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Detection of a novel truncating Merkel cell polyomavirus large T antigen deletion in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

“…1,7 MCC is a rare and aggressive malignant neuroendocrine skin cancer of elderly and immunosuppressed patients. 8,9 However, MCC patients are at a 30-fold increased risk to develop chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that as MCC primarily affects elderly patients. [10][11][12] CLL is the most common leukemia in the Western world and is characterized by the accumulation of monoclonal mature B cells aberrantly expressing CD5.…”

A Case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Treated with Wide Excision and Adjuvant Radiotherapy

“…Sheela G et al recently suggested that SLN biopsy should be routinely included in the evaluation of patients with MCC 11 . The addition of post-operative irradiation of 45 to 60 Gy to the primary site and draining lymph node basins for 4 to 6 weeks has been found to decrease local recurrence 5 . In a series by Gillenwater et al, adjuvant radiotherapy reduced local recurrence rate from 59% to 27% 12 .…”

“…Many recent studies suggest that, as alternative method, sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and biopsy could improve the ability to detect subclinical nodal metastases, sparing those patients with negative nodes the morbidity of lymph node dissection. SLN mapping and biopsy could provide a more accurate prognostic information for patients 5,10 . Sheela G et al recently suggested that SLN biopsy should be routinely included in the evaluation of patients with MCC 11 .…”

“…stage I, II disease) 5 . However, MCC usually presents on head and neck areas where conservation of vital organs is important, so some clinicians proposed Mohs micrographic surgery with intraoperative evaluation of the peripheral and deep margins as the preferred surgical approach in locations where sparing healthy tissue is important 5 . Some studies also suggested that local recurrence rate with Mohs micrographic surgery was lower than with wide excision because of thorough histologic evaluation of the margin 4 .…”

“…Surgical excision with wide clinical margin (2∼3 cm) is the mainstay of treatment for MCC without distant metastasis (e.g. stage I, II disease) 5 . However, MCC usually presents on head and neck areas where conservation of vital organs is important, so some clinicians proposed Mohs micrographic surgery with intraoperative evaluation of the peripheral and deep margins as the preferred surgical approach in locations where sparing healthy tissue is important 5 .…”