Merkel cell carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND The purpose of the current study was to determine the outcomes of patients with previously untreated Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin who were treated with curative intent. METHODS Between October 1984 and January 2002, 34 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone (2 patients) or combined with surgery (32 patients). Nine patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients had follow‐up for a median of 3.0 years (range, 0.3 to 18.5 yrs). Follow‐up on living patients ranged from 2.2 to 18.5 years (median, 7.1 yrs). RESULTS The 5‐year outcomes were as follows: local control, 94%, locoregional control, 80%; freedom from distant metastases, 60%; cause‐specific survival, 52%; and survival, 37%. No patient experienced a severe complication. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated aggressively with surgery and locoregional radiotherapy have about a 50% chance of cure. Limited data suggest that definitive radiotherapy alone or after incomplete macroscopic resection may control locoregional disease in a significant subset of patients. The dominant site of failure was distant. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.