Spontaneous regression of Merkel cell (neuroendocrine) carcinoma of the skin

Carcinome à cellules de Merkel : prise en charge actuelle

“…La présence de micrométastases lymphatiques dans le ganglion sentinelle est un facteur de mauvais pronostic avec environ 60 % de rechute à trois ans contre 20 % seulement en l'absence de micrométastases [20]. Quelques cas de régression spontanée de la tumeur primitive ont été décrits en rapport avec une infiltration de la tumeur par des lymphocytes T induisant l'apoptose des cellules tumorales [22][23][24]. …”

Current Opinion for Diagnosis and Treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

“…These features and the rapid growth are rather characteristic and should cause, specially in elderly persons, to consider MCC in the differen tial diagnosis which comprises adnexal tumors, malignant lymphomas, metastatic tumors, basal cell carcinomas and ame lanotic melanomas. Larger tumors may exulcerate, in rare instances MCC and their metastases may regress [2,3]. The high coincidence of MCC and Bowen's disease, basal cell-and squamous cell carci noma within the same patient is well established.…”

“…The observation of spontaneous regressions of primary and metastatic MCC in some rare cases [2,3] allow the con clusion that immunological phenomena are important in the natural course of MCC not unlike to the situation in malig nant melanoma. It is speculated that apoptosis and cell-mediated immunity are involved in tumor regression although the exact mechanism is unknown.…”

“…It is speculated that apoptosis and cell-mediated immunity are involved in tumor regression although the exact mechanism is unknown. Therefore, it suggests itself to apply immunomodu latory substances in the treatment of metastasizing MCC [2,3], There are only few but impressive case reports documenting a high effectiveness of immunotherapeutics in MCC. Thus, in a short communication a complete regression of a repeatedly recurrent tumor was documented following therapy with inter feron (IFN) alpha, which was subcutaneously applied 3x weekly in a dose of 3x l0 1 2 3 4 5 6 I.E.…”

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Developing after Bone Marrow Transplantation

“…The time from initiation to immunosuppression to the development of MCC ranged from 4 to 20 years. Rarely, spontaneous regression of the tumour after withdrawal of immunosuppression has been reported [11]. …”