A Case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Differentially Diagnosed by Thyroid Transcription Factor-1.
- Author:
Mi Hye KIM
1
;
Chan Woo KIM
;
Suk Gi MOON
;
Dong Hoon SHIN
;
Jong Su CHOI
;
Ki Hong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea. dhshin@med.yu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Merkel cell carcinoma;
Thyroid transcription factor-1
- MeSH:
Aged;
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell;
Female;
Head;
Humans;
Keratin-20;
Neck;
Nose;
Skin;
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma;
Thyroid Gland
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2008;46(3):424-426
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare aggressive primary neuroendocrine skin tumor. It is more prevalent in elderly patients and commonly occurs as a solitary lesion on the head and neck. This case reports an 84-year old female with an asymptomatic 1x1.5 cm sized erythematous nodule on the right side of the nose that had rapidly enlarged over a one-month period. Histopathologically, it is difficult to differentiate Merkel cell carcinoma from metastatic small cell lung cancer. Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) staining was very useful to differentiate Merkel cell carcinoma from metastatic small cell lung cancer. This case was positive for cytokeratin 20, but negative for TTF-1. We report a case that was diagnosed as Merkel cell carcinoma by TTF-1 staining.
