Merkel cell carcinoma: a case series of twelve patients and review of the
literature.
Samonis G, Mantadakis E, Kononas T C, Rigatos S K, Stathopoulos G P.
University of Crete, Division of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.
georgsec@med.uch.gr
AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 12 cases of MCC diagnosed and treated
over a 14-year period. RESULTS: Seven females and 5 males, with a median age of
72 years and MCC of the face (5), trunk (1) and extremities (6), were studied.
The stage was I in 2 cases and II in 10. Eight patients had surgery, two surgery
and chemotherapy and two chemotherapy only. The last two patients died of
disease after 10 and 16 months. Three patients suffered locoregional recurrence
after 4, 6 and 24 months and three were lost to follow-up after 8, 9 and 24
months while disease-free. Two disease-free patients died of unrelated causes
after 4 and 48 months, while three were alive and well after 24, 48 and 84
months. The three relapsing patients received chemotherapy in addition to local
radiation in one case. One is alive and well, the other alive with disease and
the third died of disease after 84, 107 and 10 months, respectively. CONCLUSION:
MCC often recurs locally. Surgery is the treatment of choice, while radiotherapy
is important for local control. Chemotherapy produces responses in the
neoadjuvant setting or after relapse.