Merkel cell carcinoma in Taiwan: A series of 24 cases and literature review

John Wen Cheng Chang, Yao Yu Chang, Yen-Min Huang, Yun Feng Lo, Tsung Ying Ho, Yi-Ting Huang, Huan Wu Chen, Chun Nan Yeh, Chiao En Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. The available reports of MCC in Asia are limited; in this study, we report the largest series of MCC in Taiwan to date.The series is composed by 24 pathologically proven MCC cases, which were retrospectively reviewed in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan between 2000 and 2018.The tumor occurred predominantly in men (80%) and in the elderly (median 74.8 years). Twenty-one patients had locoregional MCC and 3 had metastatic MCC at the time of diagnosis. Patients with pathologically proven negative nodes by sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) showed better survival time than those without SLNB in 16 clinically node-negative MCC cases undergoing primary surgery. Salvage surgery for loco-regional recurrence lengthened the survival time and possibly cured recurrent MCC. Palliative chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide showed a response rate of 25%, progression-free survival of 3.6 months, and overall survival of 14.8 months in 4 metastatic/recurrent MCC. Avelumab treatment was effective in 1 patient, who achieved a durable disease control.This observational cohort of MCC patients in Taiwan suggests aggressive surgical intervention including wide excision and lymph node management, salvage operation is critical for early MCC patients, and palliative chemotherapy and immunotherapy showed their efficacy for advanced MCC patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e17538
JournalMedicine (United States)
Volume98
Issue number42
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 10 2019

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