Multiple neuroendocrine carcinomas (so-called Merkel cell tumours) of the skin. Report on two cases with unique clinical course

Abstract

Two neuroendocrine carcinomas of the skin (so-called Merkel cell tumours) are presented. In both cases multiple tumour nodules developed within the course of the disease. The light and electron microscopic observations correspond with the findings reported in other neuroendocrine carcinomas. As a variable morphological and clinical pattern for these tumours seems to exist we consider our two cases with their unique clinical picture to be an obviously infrequent variant of this tumour disease, we propose for it the term "multiple neuroendocrine carcinoma syndrome".