Archives of Plastic Surgery

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (대한성형외과학회)
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Merkel cell carcinoma: A series of seven cases

  • Lee, Yong Woo (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Bae, Yong Chan (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Nam, Su Bong (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Bae, Seong Hwan (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Hoon-Soo (Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2019.04.05
  • Accepted : 2019.08.06
  • Published : 2019.09.15
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Abstract

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine malignancy affecting the skin, for which timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential. MCC has most often been reported in Caucasians, and case reports in Asians are rare. This study presents our experiences with the surgical treatment and radiotherapy of MCC in Asian patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven MCC patients between 2000 and 2018 from a single institution, and analyzed patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, surgical treatment, sentinel lymph node evaluation, reconstruction, adjuvant radiation therapy, and prognosis. Results Eight MCC lesions occurred in seven patients, most commonly in the head and neck region. All patients underwent surgical excision with reconstruction. The final surgical margin was 1.0 cm in most cases, and reconstruction was most commonly performed with a splitthickness skin graft. Five patients received adjuvant radiotherapy, and two patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy. During the follow-up period, three patients remained well, two died from other causes, one experienced recurrence, and one was lost to follow-up. Conclusions We treated seven Asian MCC patients and our series confirmed that MCC is a very dangerous cancer in Asians as well. Based on our experiences, thorough surgical excision of MCC with histopathological clearance should be considered, with sentinel lymph node evaluation if necessary, followed by appropriate reconstruction and careful postoperative observation. Adjuvant radiation therapy is also recommended for all Asian MCC patients. The results of this case series may provide guidance for the treatment of Asian MCC patients in the future.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Pusan National University Hospital

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