scholarly journals Neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the auricle

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-209
Author(s):  
Smaroula Divani ◽  
Anna Vardouli ◽  
Spiros Reppas ◽  
Vana Alexopoulou ◽  
Charalampos Skoulakis ◽  
...  

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare locally aggressive malignancy. Most commonly occurs in the head and neck area and only six cases on the auricle have been reported. Immunocytochemistry may help with the differential diagnosis of small cell tumors that share cytomorphological features with merkel cell carcinoma. We present cytological findings as well as immunocytochemical ones in a case of this unusual entity of the auricle.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29) ◽  
pp. 3338-3345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro V. Porceddu ◽  
Michael J. Veness ◽  
Alexander Guminski

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 401-404
Author(s):  
Sangwoo Suk ◽  
Hyun Woo Shin ◽  
Kun Chul Yoon

2001 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Cheuk ◽  
M. Y. Kwan ◽  
Saul Suster ◽  
John K. C. Chan

Abstract Objective.—To study the expression of thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) in pulmonary small cell carcinomas, extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas, and Merkel cell carcinomas, and thereby determine whether these markers are helpful in distinguishing these 3 groups of small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas. Materials and Methods.—Immunostaining for TTF-1 and CK20 was performed in 102 cases of small cell carcinoma (pulmonary, 52; extrapulmonary, 50) and 23 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma. The results for the 3 groups were compared. Results.—Thyroid transcription factor 1 was expressed in 82.7% of pulmonary small cell carcinomas, 42.0% of extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (range, 33.3–53.3% for the various sites), and 0% of Merkel cell carcinomas. Cytokeratin 20 staining was consistently negative in pulmonary small cell carcinomas, and positive in 4.0% of extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas and 100% of Merkel cell carcinomas. Conclusions.—Immunostaining for TTF-1, especially when combined with immunostaining for CK20, can aid in the distinction between Merkel cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma (both pulmonary and extrapulmonary). However, in individual cases, these markers cannot be used to distinguish between pulmonary and extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas due to the extensive overlap in immunophenotypes.


Author(s):  
Y Nazarian ◽  
B Shalmon ◽  
Z Horowitz ◽  
L Bedrin ◽  
M R Pfeffer ◽  
...  

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.


2005 ◽  
Vol 131 (7) ◽  
pp. 610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecelia E. Schmalbach ◽  
Lori Lowe ◽  
Theodoros N. Teknos ◽  
Timothy M. Johnson ◽  
Carol R. Bradford

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