Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Diagnostic Experience in a Reference Hospital: A Case Series

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, usually located in sun-exposed skin, with aggressive behavior and with high recurrence risk and metastatic disease. In Latin America, case series have been published, and it does not exceed 32 patients in 10 years, and in Colombia, there are case reports. We present a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study in patients diagnosed with MCC in the Department of Pathology and Laboratories at the University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá(FSFB) between January 2003 and December 2018. We present the demographic, clinical, and pathological variables of these patients, as well as a literature review.

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Radiotherapy for Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Review of the Literature

Journal of Skin Cancer ◽

10.1155/2012/654981 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Luluel Khan ◽

Elizabeth A. Barnes

Keyword(s):

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Primary Tumors ◽

Non Melanoma Skin Cancer ◽

Retrospective Nature ◽

Melanoma Skin

Introduction.Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare form of non-melanoma skin cancer of neuroendocrine origin. Optimal management of patients is controversial and the role of radiotherapy is unclear.Purpose.The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of RT in the treatment of both local and distant metastatic disease from MCC.Methods.A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1946—January Week 1 2012) and Embase (1980–2012 Week 2). Articles of interest analyze the efficacy of radiotherapy for treatment of metastatic MCC and did not exclude case reports.Results.All articles except one focusing on the role of radiotherapy were of retrospective origin or case series. Significant limitations applied in all studies due to limited sample sizes and the retrospective nature of these studies. Radiotherapy improves locoregional control in the adjuvant setting, and many series suggest an improvement in overall survival. In cases where surgery is not possible, definitive radiotherapy may be an as-efficacious alternative. The radiosensitive nature of MCC coupled with existing reports suggests that treatment via current protocols for other primary tumors is adequate.Conclusion.Further studies should be conducted prospectively to clarify the true role of radiotherapy in metastatic MCC.

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Malaria among migrants in a university hospital in Colombia during 2018: A case series

Tropical Doctor ◽

10.1177/0049475520981301 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 004947552098130

Author(s):

Fabián R Carreño-Almánzar ◽

Adán Coronado-Galán ◽

Sonia A Cala-Gómez ◽

Agustín Vega-Vera

Keyword(s):

Latin American ◽

Previous History ◽

Case Series ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Imported Malaria ◽

University Hospital ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Clinical Profiles

Imported malaria has increased in Colombia since 2015 and has been attributed to migrants coming from Venezuela. We present a series of malaria cases, nested in a retrospective cross-sectional study between 2017 and 2018, aimed at calculating the prevalence of medical diseases among immigrants in a University Hospital in Colombia. Among 154 immigrants admitted for medical causes between 2017 and 2018, 8 were diagnosed with malaria, all due to Plasmodium vivax. Of these, seven had uncomplicated malaria, five had a previous history of malaria, one was critically ill, but none died. We highlight that, similar to other case series of imported malaria, Latin American migrants were young, with similar clinical profiles, having a low proportion of severe cases, and P. vivax was the most frequent cause.

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Molecular detection of Merkel cell polyomavirus in basal cell carcinoma and perilesional tissue: a cross-sectional study

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia ◽

10.1016/j.abd.2019.10.007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 95 (4) ◽

pp. 527-528

Author(s):

Marianna Tavares Venceslau Gonçalves ◽

Rafael Brandão Varella ◽

Núbia Karla de Oliveira Almeida ◽

Maria Angelica Arpon Marandino Guimarães ◽

Flávio Barbosa Luz

Keyword(s):

Basal Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Basal Cell ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Regionally Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma Associated with Paraneoplastic Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis

Case Reports in Oncological Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/1257587 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Sophia Z. Shalhout ◽

Kevin S. Emerick ◽

Peter M. Sadow ◽

Jenny J. Linnoila ◽

David M. Miller

Keyword(s):

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Case Reports ◽

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Paraneoplastic Encephalitis ◽

Aspartate Receptor

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. MCC is generally associated with advanced age, fair skin, sun exposure, immunosuppression, and in the majority of cases, the Merkel cell polyomavirus. Neuroendocrine malignancies are associated with a variety of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS), characterized as autoimmune responses to malignancy-associated expression of neural antigens. Our literature review underscores previous case reports of MCC-associated PNS with voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) and anti-Hu (or ANNA-1) autoantibodies. We present the case of a 59-year-old male with regionally metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma complicated by the paraneoplastic manifestation of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. His primary lower neck subcutaneous MCC and metastasis were initially treated with surgery. Additional recurrent lymph node metastases were successfully treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy. His PNS improved with rituximab therapy. Although rare, this case highlights that in the setting of seizures and prominent psychiatric symptoms accompanying an MCC diagnosis, evaluation for autoimmune paraneoplastic encephalitis is warranted. Awareness and detection of preexisting PNS are crucial in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for advanced MCC, where treatment with ICI has the potential to exacerbate preexisting autoimmune PNS and lead to worsened or even lethal neurologic immune-related adverse events (nirAEs).

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370 Changing incidence and presentation of merkel cell carcinoma in a retrospective single-center case series

Journal of Investigative Dermatology ◽

10.1016/j.jid.2018.03.376 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 138 (5) ◽

pp. S63

Author(s):

M. Koh ◽

S. Ghanian ◽

J. Walker

Keyword(s):

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Case Series ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Single Center

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A Practical Update of Surgical Management of Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

ISRN Surgery ◽

10.1155/2013/850797 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Patricia Tai

Keyword(s):

Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Recurrent Disease ◽

Case Reports ◽

Multimodality Treatment ◽

Future Research ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Recommended Treatment ◽

Nodal Dissection

The role of surgeons in the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin is reviewed, with respect to diagnosis and treatment. Most of the data in the literature are case reports. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. A wide local excision, with sentinel node (SLN) biopsy, is the recommended treatment of choice. If SLN is involved, nodal dissection should be performed; unless patient is unfit, then regional radiotherapy can be given. Surgeons should always refer patients for assessment of the need for adjuvant treatments. Adjuvant radiotherapy is well tolerated and effective to minimize recurrence. Adjuvant chemotherapy may be considered for selected node-positive patients, as per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline. Data are insufficient to assess whether adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival. Recurrent disease should be treated by complete surgical resection if possible, followed by radiotherapy and possibly chemotherapy. Generally results of multimodality treatment for recurrent disease are better than lesser treatments. Future research should focus on newer chemotherapy and molecular targeted agents in the adjuvant setting and for gross disease.

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