Merkel cell carcinoma: what is it, what will it do and where will it go? What role should the pathologist play in reporting this information?

Brown, Jameel Ahmad; Smoller, Bruce R.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0560.2009.01363.x

Cited by 10 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The disease-associated mortality ranges from 33 to 50% [2, 3]. Merkel cells were initially believed to originate from neural crest-derived neuroendocrine cells; however, they are now thought to be derived from pluripotent epidermal stem cells [4]. Most MCC are likely induced by the merkel cell polyomavirus [3].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Giant Merkel Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as a Benign Cyst on the Buttock of an African American Man

Perman

King

Leithauser

et al. 2011

Case Reports in Oncological Medicine

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We report a case of a 60-year-old African American man who presented with a 4-year history of a previously asymptomatic, recently enlarging nodule on his left buttock, which was initially presumed to be an epidermoid cyst. Physical examination revealed a large, fixed, subcutaneous tumor, and a biopsy revealed merkel cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for pankeratin, CAM 5.2, synaptophysin, and CD56 and negative for CK7, CK20, TTF-1, chromogranin, CD3, CD20, CD57, MART1, and HMB 45. The patient underwent wide local excision of the lesion with removal of the fascia overlying the gluteus and full body positron emission tomography (PET) and was found to have Stage IIb disease. He subsequently received adjuvant radiotherapy limited to the tumor bed at a dose of 60 gray.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The vast majority of patients (~98%) with MCC are white [2, 4, 5]. The most common tumor location involves the head and neck in sun-exposed regions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Giant Merkel Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as a Benign Cyst on the Buttock of an African American Man

Perman

King

Leithauser

et al. 2011

Case Reports in Oncological Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…CK20 is both sensitive and specific for MCC; 75 to 100% of cases are focally positive for CK20 27,28,29,30. In addition, TTF-1, a marker for thyroid and pulmonary neoplasms,31 is useful in distinguishing MCC from small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) 25,32. MCC is consistently negative for TTF-1,26,27,28,33 whereas SCCL is positive for TTF-1 in 83 to 100% of cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thoracic Spinal Metastasis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma in an Immunocompromised Patient: Case Report

Madden

Thomas

Johnson

et al. 2013

Evidence-Based Spine-Care Journal

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Study Design Case report.Objective Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), an uncommon cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy, is a rare cause of spinal metastasis, with only five cases previously reported. We report a rare case of MCC metastatic to the spine in an immunocompromised patient.Methods A 55-year-old male with previously resected MCC, immunocompromised due to cardiac transplant, presented with sharp mid-thoracic back pain radiating around the trunk to the midline. Computed tomography of the thoracic spine showed a dorsal epidural mass from T6 to T8 with compression of the spinal cord. Laminectomy and subtotal tumor resection were performed, and pathology confirmed Merkel cell tumor through immunohistochemistry staining positive for cytokeratin 20 and negative for thyroid transcription factor-1.Results Further treatment with radiation therapy was initiated, and the patient did well for 4 months after surgery, but returned with a lesion in the cervical spine. He then opted for hospice care.Conclusions With an increasing number of immunocompromised patients presenting with back pain, MCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal metastatic disease.

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“…1,4,6 Although rare, the incidence of MCC has tripled in the past 15 years. 3 Merkel cell polyomavirus has been found in a high percentage of MCCs in several series. 7 Risk factors include age (average age at diagnosis, 70 years), male sex, sun exposure, and immunosuppression.…”

Section: Pathology Quiz Case 2: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathology Quiz Case 2: Diagnosis

2010

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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Merkel cell carcinoma: what is it, what will it do and where will it go? What role should the pathologist play in reporting this information?

Cited by 10 publications

References 23 publications

Giant Merkel Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as a Benign Cyst on the Buttock of an African American Man

Giant Merkel Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as a Benign Cyst on the Buttock of an African American Man

Thoracic Spinal Metastasis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma in an Immunocompromised Patient: Case Report

Pathology Quiz Case 2: Diagnosis

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