A case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Author: Sangwoo SUK ¹ ; Hyun Woo SHIN ; Kun Chul YOON
Author Information

1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mdshin7@naver.com
Publication Type:Case Report
Keywords: Carcinoma; Merkel cells; Skin neoplasm
MeSH: Carcinoma, Merkel Cell; Cheek; Diagnosis; Head; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Male; Merkel Cells; Neck; Neoplasm Metastasis; Recurrence; Skin Neoplasms; Standard of Care
From:Archives of Craniofacial Surgery 2019;20(6):401-404
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a relatively rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy. It is characterized by high rates of recurrence and metastasis, both to regional lymph nodes and to distant locations. Its characteristic clinical manifestation is a single, painless, hard, erythematous nodule on a sun-exposed area, particularly in older men. Surgical management of both the primary site and the sentinel lymph node is the standard of care. In this article, we describe the diagnosis and treatment of a case of MCC in the left cheek.