Merkel Cell Carcinoma Review

Yun Xue; Manisha Thakuria

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2018.08.002

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Review

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2019 Feb;33(1):39-52. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2018.08.002.

Authors

Yun Xue¹, Manisha Thakuria²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
² Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Dermatology, Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: mthakuria1@bwh.harvard.edu.

PMID: 30497676
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2018.08.002

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancy of neuroendocrine origin-an often-missed diagnosis due to the wide histopathologic differential diagnosis of malignant small blue cell tumors. The advent of electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry staining for cytokeratin 20, a shared neuroendocrine marker, greatly improved diagnostic accuracy. Over the past decade, staging, treatment, and surveillance of the cancer have progressed at a remarkably rapid pace. Herein, the authors provide an update on the current guidelines around diagnosis and management and review the exciting advancements on the horizon.

Keywords: Guidelines; Immunotherapy; Merkel cell carcinoma; Merkel cell polyomavirus; Neuroendocrine tumor.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomarkers, Tumor
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / diagnosis*
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / epidemiology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / etiology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / therapy*
Combined Modality Therapy
Diagnosis, Differential
Disease Management
Disease Susceptibility
Humans
Neoplasm Staging
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Phenotype
Prognosis
Public Health Surveillance
Symptom Assessment

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor