Ruiz-Morales JM, Dorantes-Heredia R, Darwich-del Moral GA, kinney-Novelo IM, Green-Renner D

Language: Spanish
References: 20
Page: 36-39
PDF size: 300.48 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background. The Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the skin, first described in 1972. The incidence is 0.01 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Because it lacks distinctive morphological features, the diagnosis is established by epithelial and neuroendocrine markers. It has an aggressive course with a high risk of both locoregional and distant recurrence. The definitive treatment is surgical excision with wide margins in localized disease and adjuvant radiotherapy, which improves local control and survival. The use of chemotherapy is indicated only in advanced or recurrent disease. Case report. Male 45 years-old who began his illness with the appearance of progressive left inguinal lymph node conglomerate. Dissection was performed of the area that was reported as metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. Later, it was confirmed that the primary lesion was a macula in the medial left thigh. He underwent wide excision of the lesion previously described and subsequently received adjuvant radiotherapy to both primary and left inguinal area. Six months after follow-up, the scan with positron emission tomography and computed tomography presented positive uptake in tow left iliac nodes. He started radiation therapy to previously described area with concomitant chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine. Since then, there was no evidence of tumor activity. Conclusion. The chemo-radiotherapy in Merkel cell carcinoma produces response rates up to 70%, however it is short-lived. Survival in metastatic disease is considered for a 10 months period.

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