Jordan Isenberg,1 Tessa Weinberg,2 Nowell Solish,3
1McGill University, Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Quebec; 2The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Faculty of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland;
3University of Toronto, Department of Dermatology, Toronto, Ontario.
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancy. It is seen most frequently in those over 60 years old and in Caucasian males. It usually presents as an asymptomatic rapidly growing violatious nodule on a sun exposed area. The mainstay of treatment is surgical by standard wide local excision or MOHs chemosurgery. Radiation is added frequently for local control. The only factor significantly associated with overall survival is the stage of disease at presentation. This stresses the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Key Words: Merkel cell carcinoma, wide local excision, MOHs chemosurgery, adjuvant radiotherapy, review, case.
