Multiple Merkel Cell Carcinoma in a Vietnam Veteran Exposed to Agent Orange.
- Author:
Gyo Shin KANG
1
;
Sung Min HWANG
;
Dong Min KIM
;
Moo Kyu SUH
;
Jae Hong KIM
;
Tae Jung JANG
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea. smg@dongguk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Agent Orange;
Merkel cell carcinoma
- MeSH:
2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid;
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid;
Aged;
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell;
Citrus sinensis;
Extremities;
Head;
Humans;
Male;
Melanoma;
Neck;
Recurrence;
Skin;
Skin Diseases;
Skin Neoplasms;
Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin;
Veterans;
Vietnam
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2011;49(2):191-194
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare aggressive primary skin cancer which mostly occurs in the elderly on sun-exposed skin. It usually presents as a solitary dome-shaped red or purple nodule on the head, neck and extremities. The mortality rate is higher than the rate for malignant melanoma because its local recurrence is common. Agent Orange, an herbicide widely used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War, contains dioxin contaminants and can cause several dermatoses and skin cancers. We report a case of multiple Merkel cell carcinoma in a 65-year-old male with lesions on the head and neck, who had been exposed to Agent Orange during Vietnam War.
