Merkel cell carcinoma of the vulva

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare tumor. This is why it is not known whether this neoplasm behaves differently in the vulvar location than at other sites. We present a patient with a Merkel cell carcinoma assessed with a light optical microscope, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscope. Only eight previous cases have been reported in the literature. We discuss pathologic findings, such as histologic trabecular pattern under the optical microscope and neurosecretory granules (similar to Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin) under the electron microscope. Also discussed are the results of immunohistochemistry for low-molecular-weight cytokeratin, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and Leu 7, and molecular study of N-ras, K-ras, N-myc, and p53 genes. Little is known about Merkel cell carcinoma of the vulva, but it seems to have a more aggressive behavior and poorer prognosis than Merkel cell carcinoma at other sites.