scholarly journals Nonmelanoma Cutaneous Head and Neck Cancer and Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Current Concepts, Advances, and Controversies

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29) ◽  
pp. 3338-3345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro V. Porceddu ◽  
Michael J. Veness ◽  
Alexander Guminski
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Tumor Boards ◽  
Solar Radiation Exposure ◽  
Cure Rates

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer worldwide and the most frequently observed malignancy in whites. Approximately 75% to 80% are basal cell carcinomas and 20% to 25% are squamous cell carcinomas. Incidence is increasing, partly reflecting an ageing population, and NMSC is more commonly seen in men. The predominant causative agent is ultraviolet solar radiation exposure, with the majority of cases occurring on the head and neck. Surgical excision is typically the treatment of choice, providing histopathologic information, high cure rates, and acceptable cosmetic and functional outcomes. Radiation therapy is reserved for cases where surgery is not the preferred choice or for high-risk cases where adjuvant therapy is recommended. Although overall mortality rates are low, patients with complex cases such as those with immunosuppression should be considered for management within multidisciplinary tumor boards. In contrast, Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy, frequently arising on the head and neck in older whites, with a poorer prognosis. This article focuses on the current evidence guiding practice, recent advances, and areas of controversy in NMSC and Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

scholarly journals Secondary Merkel Cell Carcinoma Manifested in the Parotid

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
M. Basati ◽  
K. Kassam ◽  
A. Messiha
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Maxillofacial Surgery ◽  
Neck Region ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Malignant Tumour ◽  
Selective Neck Dissection ◽  
Merkel Cell

Background. Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck is a rare and aggressive malignant tumour. Both the dermatological and surgical colleagues should be aware of this entity as lesions usually present on sun exposed areas of the skin such as the head and neck.Main Observation and Treatment. A 69-year-old male originally presented to the maxillofacial surgery department with a growing lesion on the left eyebrow. Histological analysis confirmed Merkel cell carcinoma and consequently surgical excision was carried out. A follow-up PET/CT scan 2 years later demonstrated a hotspot in the left parotid gland. Fine needle aspiration and cytology revealed Merkel cell carcinoma. A subtotal parotidectomy left side with ipsilateral selective neck dissection levels I to III was carried out.Conclusions. Potential secondary Merkel cell carcinoma in the head and neck region should be taken into account when planning short- and long-term follow up for previously diagnosed patients. This followup should involve both dermatological and surgical colleagues.

scholarly journals Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Single Institutional Experience

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Morand ◽  
D. Vital ◽  
T. Pézier ◽  
D. Holzmann ◽  
M. Roessle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Adjuvant Radiotherapy ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Tertiary Center ◽  
Lymph Node Evaluation

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous malignancy occurring mostly in older immunocompromized Caucasian males. A growing incidence of MCC has been reported in epidemiological studies. Treatment of MCC usually consists of surgical excision, pathological lymph node evaluation, and adjuvant radiotherapy. This paper reports the experience of a single tertiary center institution with 17 head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma patients. Median followup for the cohort was 37.5 months. After five years, recurrence-free survival, disease specific survival, and overall survival were 85%, 90%, and 83%, respectively. Our limited data support the use of adjuvant radiotherapy. We also report two cases of MCC located at the vestibule of the nose and two cases of spontaneous regression after diagnostic biopsy. About 40% of our patients were referred to our center for surgical revision and pathological lymph node evaluation. Increased awareness of MCC and an interdisciplinary approach are essential in the management of MCC.

scholarly journals The Role of Free Tissue Transfer in Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo V. Londino III ◽  
Brett A. Miles
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Reconstructive Option

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon neuroendocrine malignancy with a propensity for the head and neck. It typically presents asymptomatically in elderly Caucasians and is characterized by early local and regional spread. There is currently limited data on the appropriate algorithm for treatment of MCC. However, multimodal therapy with wide surgical excision with or without radiation therapy has become standard of care. The location of the primary tumor and intensive adjuvant therapy is often required, provides a challenge to the reconstructive head and neck surgeon. Occasionally, free tissue transfer reconstructive techniques are employed in the reconstruction of MCC defects. This paper will discuss the role of free tissue transfer as a reconstructive option after surgery for advanced head and neck MCC.

scholarly journals A case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 401-404
Author(s):  
Sangwoo Suk ◽  
Hyun Woo Shin ◽  
Kun Chul Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell

Unusual Ulcerated Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Skin: Report of a Case

2006 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 555-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Lucandri ◽  
Paolo Mazzocchi ◽  
Bruno Bascone ◽  
Marco Giordano ◽  
Massimo Castaldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Postoperative Radiotherapy ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Prognostic Indicators ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Axillary Lymphadenectomy ◽  
Therapeutic Possibilities

Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive skin cancer, usually related to a severe prognosis. Treatment consists of wide surgical excision, adjuvant radiotherapy and/or polychemotherapy, but local-regional and distant relapses are common. Detection of histopathological and biological factors may select subgroups of patients suitable for different treatments. Herein we report the case of a patient treated for a wide bleeding and ulcerated Merkel cell carcinoma. Ulceration represents an uncommon feature because the tumor usually spreads from the dermis into subcutaneous fat, so it may be added to poor prognostic indicators. After surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy, the patient recurred at regional nodes. Axillary lymphadenectomy was followed by courses of polychemotherapy. We obtained a satisfactory survival (31 months) by timing these different therapeutic possibilities.

Merkel cell carcinoma of unknown primary site

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Nazarian ◽  
B Shalmon ◽  
Z Horowitz ◽  
L Bedrin ◽  
M R Pfeffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Primary Site ◽  
Unknown Primary ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Unknown Primary Site ◽  
Carcinoma Of Unknown Primary ◽  
Skin Malignancy

Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon and aggressive primary neuroendocrine skin malignancy which mostly affects the extremities and the head and neck region of elderly patients. Merkel cell carcinoma occurs with increased frequency in sun-exposed areas, in individuals exposed to arsenic and in immunosuppressed patients. Many patients with Merkel cell carcinoma present with other malignancies, mainly skin cancers. Characteristic features are frequent recurrences and regional and distant metastases. Mortality rates range from 20 to 65 per cent. The mainstay of treatment is surgery, with wide local excision, and adjuvant radiotherapy is usually administered. Merkel cell carcinoma of unknown primary site is rare, and the majority of the few cases described have not been from head and neck areas. We present a case of Merkel cell carcinoma of unknown primary site, with upper neck and distant metastases.

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