Merkel Cell Carcinoma - A Rare Form of Skin Cancer with New Therapeutic Options

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, with very aggressive behavior. Etiological factors contributing to MCC development, include exposure to UV radiation, infection with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and chronic immunosuppression. It is commonly found in regions of the body that are exposed to sun -55% of cases are located in the head and neck. The 5 years survival rate for metastatic disease is approximately 25%. The estimated mortality rate for MCC is between 33% and 46%. Therapeutic options for MCC depends on disease characteristics (stage of disease at presentation, location of the tumor, regional lymph node involvement, comorbidities and performance status of the patient) and it includes multimodal treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and emerging immunotherapeutic treatments with early promising results. Our clinic experience is very limited with this type of malignancy, only three cases were diagnosed and treated in our department, but with encouraging results regarding the newest immunotherapeutic options, with good quality of life and results similar with the data from the literature.