Spontaneous Regression Of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Case Report
Bystricky, B., Kohutek, F., Miklatkova, Z., Sedlacek, T., Gal, V., & Lohajova Behulova, R. (2021). Spontaneous Regression of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Case Report. International medical case reports journal, 14, 711–717. https://doi.org/10.2147/IMCRJ.S329545
View Original Source →Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin neuroendocrine tumor presumably arising from Merkel cells in the basal layer of epidermis. It is an aggressive tumor predominantly found on the head and neck area of elderly people, with a mortality rate around 41% for all stages. Complete spontaneous regression of MCC is seldom observed, mostly in elderly women. We describe complete spontaneous regression of large, histologically confirmed MCC in an elderly woman after biopsy, which occurred incidentally, while waiting for radical surgery with skin flap. Next-generation sequencing with SOPHiA Solid Tumor Plus Solution did not reveal any relevant gene mutations or rearrangements. An update of literature for these very rare cases is provided.
Case Details
Disease Location
Skin
Personal Characteristics
88-year-old female. History of curatively treated gastric cancer at age 77.
Clinical Characteristics
Presented with a progressively growing purple nodule on her right cheek (up to 5 cm). Contrast enhanced CT demonstrated large prominent lesion of the right zygomatic region with adjacent bone invasion but showed no distant metastatic spread incisional biopsy was performed. Histology showed small to medium-sized tumor cells with inconspicuous cytoplasm, displaying a salt-and-pepper chromatin pattern. A perinuclear dot-like pattern of ck20 was observed. A diagnosis of merkel cell carcinoma located at the right infraorbital area was made. Radical surgery was performed 3 months after initial biopsy.
Remission Characteristics
A notable regression of lesion was noted prior surgery. On macroscopic examination, excision of the skin measured 47x39x14 mm (with subcutaneous tissue). Centrally was present an exophytic tumor lesion 35x23x4 mm with a gray friable surface, with two sutures present in its middle.
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Biopsy related
Clinical Treatment
Biopsy surgical excision
Non-Clinical Treatment
None reported