Chemotherapy of metastatic Merkel cell cancer

Abstract

Out of 16 cases of Merkel cell cancer identified in the records of the Mt. Sinai Medical Center or affiliates, 11 patients developed systemic metastases. Literature review confirms the substantial possibility of dissemination. Both in our series and in the literature, cytotoxic chemotherapy produced a high rate of usually short-lived response, although one of our patients with disseminated metastases achieved complete remission for two years.