Unknown Primary Merkel Cell Carcinoma With Cutaneous Spread

Barreira, JV; Valejo Coelho, M; Ribeiro, C; Semedo, M

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.17/3600

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Abstract(s)

The authors present the case of a woman in the seventh decade of life with medical history of: left nephrectomy for renal tuberculosis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with chemotherapy (QT) and radiotherapy. She presented with a 2-month history of non-tender, left inguinal lymph node enlargement. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-CT -scanshowed hypermetabolic inguinal and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathies, no primary tumour. On the second dermatological examination a pink, 2 cm plaque on the anterior left knee was noted. The histopathological analysis revealed Merkel cell carcinoma. The patient underwent two lines of systemic QT, with life-threatening toxicities limiting treatment. Followed overwhelming disease progression with lymphoedema and numerous skin metastases in the left lower limb. The patient received palliative care until death. The rare incidence of such neoplasia and its uncommon clinical presentation justifies reporting this case and highlights the importance of multidisciplinary teams in the management of cancer patients.

Keywords

Aged Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols Carcinoma, Merkel Cell Combined Modality Therapy Disease Progression Fatal Outcome Female Humans Knee Neoplasms, Unknown Primary Palliative Care Positron-Emission Tomography Radiotherapy, Adjuvant Skin Neoplasms HSAC ONC CHLC DER