Merkel Cell Carcinoma : A Retrospective Study on 48 Cases and Review of Literature

Joint Authors

Martinotti, Mario
Cafaro, Ines
Cirillo, Fernando
Vismarra, Marco

Source

Journal of Oncology

Issue

Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-9, 9 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2012-09-13

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

9

Main Subjects

Diseases
Medicine

Abstract EN

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin.

Fourty-eight patients with MCC were observed at the Rare Hormonal Tumors Group of Cremona Hospital, 15 of these with unknown primary site.

Due to rarity of Merkel cell carcinoma, clinical experience is generally limited.

Data from our series confirm the current recommendations.

Wide surgical excision must be associated with radiotherapy also in early stages in order to avoid local relapse and the rapid progression of disease.

In advanced stages chemotherapy is the standard despite the short duration of responses and poor quality of life.

The data of our series, characterized by a high demand for second opinion, offer some insight about the real rarity of the tumor, the difficulty of managing of disease in our country secondary to a wrong cultural approach to the problem, the indiscriminate use of molecules unnecessary and often expensive, the lack of protocols, and the presence of guidelines often ignored.

This results in very poor survival associated with a very low quality of life, requiring to find the right direction towards a correct management of disease.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Cirillo, Fernando& Vismarra, Marco& Cafaro, Ines& Martinotti, Mario. 2012. Merkel Cell Carcinoma : A Retrospective Study on 48 Cases and Review of Literature. Journal of Oncology،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-495632

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Cirillo, Fernando…[et al.]. Merkel Cell Carcinoma : A Retrospective Study on 48 Cases and Review of Literature. Journal of Oncology No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-495632

American Medical Association (AMA)

Cirillo, Fernando& Vismarra, Marco& Cafaro, Ines& Martinotti, Mario. Merkel Cell Carcinoma : A Retrospective Study on 48 Cases and Review of Literature. Journal of Oncology. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-495632

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-495632