Two Cases of Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
- Author:
Ji Soo PARK
1
;
Dong Keun LEE
;
Moon Kyun CHO
;
Sook Ja SON
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. nmcderma@netsgo.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Merkel cell;
Neuroendocrine neoplasm;
Trabecular pattern
- MeSH:
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Breast;
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell*;
Cheek;
Cytoplasm;
Extremities;
Female;
Humans;
Intermediate Filaments;
Keratins;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Radionuclide Imaging;
Skin
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2001;39(3):323-326
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon aggressive primary neuroendocrine neoplasm of the skin. It is more prevalent in elderly females and occurs as a solitary lesion on the face and extremities. The first case was a 65-year old female with an asymptomatic cherry-sized pink nodule with infiltrative base on the left cheek that had gradually enlarged during several months. The second case was an 81-year-old female with a bean-sized pink nodule on the right breast that had rapidly enlarged during 1 month. Microscopically, small tumor cells with scanty cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei arranged in solid sheets and trabecular or cord like pattern in a delicate fibrous matrix in both cases. In immunohistochemical studies, the first case was reactive to NSE, chromogranin and cytokeratin, and the second case to NSE and cytokeratin. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells showed membrane-bound, round, dense-core granules of neuroendocrine type in the cytoplasm and perinuclear whorls of intermediate filaments. There was no evidence of metastasis in the whole body CT and bone scintigraphy. In both cases, local wide excision was performed.
