Multidisciplinary management in Merkel cell carcinoma

J Dermatolog Treat. 2014 Oct;25(5):409-14. doi: 10.3109/09546634.2012.756969. Epub 2013 Aug 13.

Abstract

Herein, the authors describe the experience with the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and review the literature regarding MCC treatment regimens. Nine patients underwent treatment due to stage I, II, or III MCC. The median follow up was 39 months. In five cases, tumors were excised with skin margins of >2 cm, and skin margins were <2 cm in four patients. Local adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) was given to four patients, while three patients underwent local lymphadenectomy (LAD). Local recurrence occurred in four patients who did not undergo RT (among them three patients had excision margins <2 cm) after a mean time of 9 months. Despite retreatment, two of those patients developed metastases. Recurrence-free survival after primary therapy was achieved: (a) in three patients with stage I and II MCC treated surgically with excision margins <2 cm combined with RT or wide excision >2 cm alone and (b) in two patients with stage III MCC treated with wide excision and LAD combined with local and regional RT. A review of the literature supports the following recommendations: (a) excision with adequate margins combined with RT; (b) LAD with regional RT in cases of lymph node involvement; and (c) sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients without clinically suspicious lymph nodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Retreatment
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy*