Partial Gastric Resection for Symptomatic Anemia following Diagnosis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) of the Skin with Gastric Metastasis

Abstract

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare dermatologic malignancy with propensity for metastasis to lymph nodes, skin, lung, liver, bone, and brain. Metastasis to the stomach is rare with only 13 reported cases. We discuss the outcomes of a partial gastrectomy for the treatment of symptomatic MCC with gastric metastasis.

Gastric Metastasis of Primary Neuroendocrine Tumor of Skin: Rare Tumor with Rare Presentation

“… 6 7 Metastasis of MCC to the stomach is extremely uncommon and a rare presentation of disease progression; only a few case reports are available in the published literature. 4 8 9 10 11 12 13 Due to its rarity, there may be a delay in correctly diagnosing this metastatic disease and subsequent delay in further systemic treatment. The life expectancy ranges from 1 week to 1 year with an average mortality rate of 67% at 4 months following the diagnosis of gastric metastasis.…”

“…The life expectancy ranges from 1 week to 1 year with an average mortality rate of 67% at 4 months following the diagnosis of gastric metastasis. 8 9 10 11 12 13 There is no unanimous treatment protocol for patients with GI metastasis. Primary treatment of MCC is wide resection.…”

“…The use of partial gastrectomy (wide resection preferred over radical surgery) along with radiotherapy/chemotherapy including various platinum-based drugs is controversial and very few case reports have illustrated their use. 8 9 10 11 12 13 …”