ABSTRACT
El carcinoma de células de Merkel (CCM) es un raro tumor maligno cutáneo de origen neuroendocrino, de mal pronóstico y evolución rápida. Suele tratarse de un nódulo eritematoso localizado en la cara y se asocia a otras neoplasias cutáneas. Su histología muestra en la dermis una gran masa de células pequeñas con núcleos ovalados de cromatina polvorienta, que son positivas para enolasa neuroespecífica, cromogranina, sinaptofisina y citoqueratinas AE1/AE3. Se presentan 5 pacientes (3 varones y 2 mujeres de entre 58 y 89 años) visitados en nuestro hospital en los últimos 3 años por CCM. Se siguió su tratamiento y evolución, mostrando muchos de los aspectos reseñados. El CCM se debe tener presente en el diagnóstico diferencial, puesto que una detección precoz, junto con un tratamiento agresivo, aumenta de forma notable la supervivencia de los pacientes. Su elevado grado de recidivas condiciona un seguimiento estrecho del enfermo. Sería conveniente realizar un protocolo de actuación para su mejor manejo
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant skin tumor of neuroendocrine origin with a poor prognosis and rapid progression. It is usually an erythematous nodule on the face, and is associated with other skin neoplasms. Its histology shows a large mass of small cells containing oval nuclei with powdery chromatin in the dermis. These cells are positive for neurospecific enolase, chromogranin, synaptophysin and cytokeratins AE1/AE3. We present five patients (3 males and 2 females, aged 58 to 89 years) seen at our hospital in the last three years for MCC. Their treatment and evolution were tracked, and many of the aspects indicated were seen. MCC must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis, as early detection along with aggressive treatment significantly improve the patients survival rate. Close follow up is necessary because of the high recurrence rates. The development of a response protocol in order to better manage this disease would be desirable
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Adult , Aged , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/surgery , Diagnosis, Differential , Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/complications , Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Merkel Cell/radiotherapy , Neoplasm Metastasis/radiotherapy , Neoplasm Metastasis/therapyABSTRACT
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant skin tumor of neuroendocrine origin with a poor prognosis and rapid progression. It is usually an erythematous nodule on the face, and is associated with other skin neoplasms. Its histology shows a large mass of small cells containing oval nuclei with powdery chromatin in the dermis. These cells are positive for neurospecific enolase, chromogranin, synaptophysin and cytokeratins AE1/AE3. We present five patients (3 males and 2 females, aged 58 to 89 years) seen at our hospital in the last three years for MCC. Their treatment and evolution were tracked, and many of the aspects indicated were seen. MCC must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis, as early detection along with aggressive treatment significantly improve the patients survival rate. Close follow up is necessary because of the high recurrence rates. The development of a response protocol in order to better manage this disease would be desirable.