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Case Reports
. 2019 Dec;20(6):401-404.
doi: 10.7181/acfs.2019.00542. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

A case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Sangwoo Suk  1 , Hyun Woo Shin  1 , Kun Chul Yoon  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Sangwoo Suk et al. Arch Craniofac Surg. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a relatively rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy. It is characterized by high rates of recurrence and metastasis, both to regional lymph nodes and to distant locations. Its characteristic clinical manifestation is a single, painless, hard, erythematous nodule on a sun-exposed area, particularly in older men. Surgical management of both the primary site and the sentinel lymph node is the standard of care. In this article, we describe the diagnosis and treatment of a case of MCC in the left cheek.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Merkel cells; Skin neoplasm.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
The patient presented with a single, painless, firm, erythematous, and rapidly growing nodule. Yellow arrow indicated lesion on left cheek area.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
A computed tomography scan and positron emission tomography scan were done. (A) Yellow arrow revealed a subcutaneous enhancing nodular lesion measuring approximately 7×5 mm in the left check area. (B) Yellow arrow showed a hypermetabolic lymph node in the left neck, at level II.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
A histopathologic examination confirmed Merkel cell carcinoma. Red circle indicated multifocal small tumor nests of monotonous round blue cells. (A) H&E, ×12.5; (B) H&E, ×400.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
A cytokeratin-20 stain was done and red circle revealed dotlike positivity in the tumor cells.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
At a 9-month postoperative follow-up visit, the left cheek flap had completely healed, with minimal scar contracture.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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