Case report

Merkel cell carcinoma of the upper extremity: Case report and an update

Michail Papamichail¹ , Ioannis Nikolaidis² , Nicolas Nikolaidis³ , Chryssoula Glava² , Ioannis Lentzas² , Konstantinos Marmagkiolis⁴ , Kriton Karassavsa¹ and Michail Digalakis¹

¹  General Hospital of Athens, ''Asklipion Voulas", Athens, Greece

²  Tzaneion General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece

³  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Hospital, Aberdeen, UK

⁴  Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal QC, Canada

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World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2008, 6:32doi:10.1186/1477-7819-6-32

Published:	7 March 2008

Abstract

Background

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but aggressive cutaneous primary small cell carcinoma. It is commonly seen in elderly affecting the head, neck, and extremities. Macroscopically may be difficult to distinguish MCC from other small cells neoplasms especially oat cell carcinoma of the lung.

Case presentation

It is presented a case report concerning a 72 years old male with a MMC on the dorsal aspect of the right wrist. The patient underwent a diagnostic excisional biopsy and after the histological confirmation of the diagnosis a second excision was performed to achieve free margins. No postoperative radiation or adjuvant chemotherapy was given and within 9 years follow up no recurrence was reported.

Conclusion

Although most cases present as localized disease treatment should be definitive due to high rates of local or systemic recurrence. Treatment includes excision of the lesion, lymphadenectomy, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy depending on the stage of the disease. Even when locoregional control is achieved close surveillance is required due to high rates of relapse.