Vulvar Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Entity

ABSTRACT Merkel cell carcinoma is a primary small cell carcinoma of the skin that resembles oat cell carcinomas of the lung. This tumor has a predilection for head and neck region but may rarely occur as isolated vulvar tumor. It has aggressive malignant behavior and should not be missed while evaluating vulvar masses. We report a case of 45-year-old Mrs I, who presented with recurrent vulvar swelling and was diagnosed as stage III Merkel cell carcinoma of the vulva. Synonyms Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma, Trabecular carcinoma, Primary small cell carcinoma, Cutaneous apudoma.

Hyperfunctioning Solid/Trabecular Follicular Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland

A 68-year-old woman with solid/trabecular follicular thyroid carcinoma inside of an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule is described in this paper. The patient was referred to our clinic for swelling of the neck and an increased pulse rate. Ultrasonography showed a slightly hypoechoic nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid. Despite suppressed TSH levels, the -pertechnetate scan showed a hot area corresponding to the nodule with a suppressed uptake in the remaining thyroid tissue. Histopathological examination of the nodule revealed a solid/trabecular follicular thyroid carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of hyperfunctioning follicular solid/trabecular carcinoma reported in the literature. Even if a hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare malignancy, careful management is recommended so that a malignancy will not be overlooked in the hot thyroid nodules.