KLI

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of Merkel cell carcinoma: a single-center retrospective study in Korea

Metadata Downloads
Abstract
Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin with high mortality. However, its clinical characteristics in Asian patients remain uncertain owing to its low incidence.

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological features of MCC and identify factors associated with its prognosis.

Methods: The medical records of 62 patients with MCC were retrospectively reviewed. Data on clinical features, survival outcomes, prognostic factors, histopathology and immunohistochemical profile of the patients were collected and analyzed. Merkel cell polyomavirus status was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.

Results: The incidence of MCC significantly increased over time. The mean duration of follow-up was 51.2 months, with an overall 5-year survival of 80.6%. More female patients with MCC were identified than male patients (1.3:1). Approximately half of the patients had stage I disease at the time of initial presentation. The primary tumor was frequently located in the lower extremities (40.3%), followed by the head and neck (32.3%), upper extremities (22.6%), and the trunk (4.8%). Male sex was associated with poorer overall survival (p = 0.003). Post-resection adjuvant radiotherapy significantly improved the overall survival (p = 0.023). Sentinel lymph node biopsy during surgery ameliorated the progression-free survival (p = 0.036) in patients with stage I or II cancer. Lymphovascular and perineural invasion were associated with a poor prognosis. Old age, immunohistochemical profiles, and Merkel cell polyomavirus-positivity were not associated with prognosis.

Conclusion: Post-surgical adjuvant radiotherapy and sentinel lymph node biopsy significantly improve the course of MCC.
Author(s)
Ik Jun MoonHyungmin NaHye Soo ChoChong Hyun WonSung Eun ChangMi Woo LeeWoo Jin Lee
Issued Date
2023
Type
Article
Keyword
Clinical featureMerkel cell carcinomaMerkel cell polyomavirusPrognostic factorSentinel lymph nodeSurvival outcome
DOI
10.1007/s00432-023-04932-7
URI
https://oak.ulsan.ac.kr/handle/2021.oak/16055
Publisher
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
Language
한국어
ISSN
0171-5216
Citation Volume
149
Citation Number
12
Citation Start Page
10065
Citation End Page
10074
Appears in Collections:
Medicine > Nursing
공개 및 라이선스
  • 공개 구분공개
파일 목록
  • 관련 파일이 존재하지 않습니다.

Items in Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.