Role of Radiotherapy in the Management of Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 713-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy H. Decker ◽  
Lynn D. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Combined Modality Treatment ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Primary Tumor Site ◽  
Regional Disease

The role of radiotherapy in treating local and regional disease in patients with clinically localized Merkel cell carcinoma remains controversial. Given the lack of randomized evidence and patient and treatment heterogeneity in published retrospective series, sound clinical judgment is required to assess individual patient risk factors. Although many single-institution series have shown that adjuvant radiation to the primary tumor site decreases the risk for local and regional failure, evidence is emerging that there is a cohort of patients at relatively low risk for local recurrence after wide local excision alone. Node dissection, radiotherapy, and combined modality treatment may all play a role in managing occult or clinically evident nodal disease, depending on the anatomic location of draining lymphatics and the extent of microscopic or macroscopic disease. For select patients, primary radiotherapy is a reasonable option with a low risk for local or regional recurrence.

Adjuvant Radiation Therapy Is Associated With Improved Survival in Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1043-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Mojica ◽  
David Smith ◽  
Joshua D.I. Ellenhorn
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Median Survival ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy ◽  
Entire Cohort

Purpose Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous malignancy. Because of the absence of randomized studies, the real benefit of adjuvant radiation therapy in MCC is unclear. The aim of this study was to better define the role of adjuvant radiation therapy in the management of MCC. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) survey from the National Cancer Institute was queried from 1973 through 2002. Retrospective analysis was performed. The end point of the study was overall survival. Results There were 1,665 cases of MCC in the SEER registry. Presentation by stage were 55% stage I, 31% stage II, and 6% stage III. Eight percent of the cases could not be staged because of incomplete data. Surgical intervention was a component of therapy in 89% of the cases (n = 1,487). The median survival for the entire cohort was 49 months, and median follow-up was 40 months. Adjuvant radiation was a component of therapy in 40% of the surgical cases. The median survival for those patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy was 63 months compared with 45 months for those treated without adjuvant radiation. The use of radiation was associated with an improved survival for patients with all sizes of tumors, but the improvement with radiation use was particularly prominent when analyzing those patients with primary lesions larger than 2 cm. Conclusion The use of adjuvant radiation therapy is associated with improved survival in patients with MCC. Prospective evaluation of adjuvant radiation therapy in this setting is warranted.

The essential role of radiation therapy in securing locoregional control of merkel cell carcinoma

1990 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Morrison ◽  
Lester J. Peters ◽  
Elvio G. Silva ◽  
Charles D. Wendt ◽  
K.Kian Ang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Locoregional Control ◽  
Merkel Cell

scholarly journals Immunotherapy in Merkel cell carcinoma: role of Avelumab

2018 ◽  
Vol Volume 7 ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amruth Palla ◽  
Donald Doll
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell

scholarly journals Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Recent Progress and Current Priorities on Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Management

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (24) ◽  
pp. 4021-4026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Neuroendocrine Cells ◽  
Human Polyomavirus ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation ◽  
Cytokeratin 20 ◽  
Merkel Cell

Purpose To expedite improved understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare malignancy of cutaneous neuroendocrine cells that has a 28% 2-year mortality rate. Methods This article summarizes a workshop that discussed the state-of-the-art research and priorities for research on MCC and on a new human polyomavirus (ie, MCPyV) recently discovered in 80% of MCC tumors. Results Normal Merkel cells are widely distributed in the epidermis near the end of nerve axons and may function as mechanoreceptors or chemoreceptors. Malignant MCC cells typically stain for cytokeratin 20 as well as for other epithelial and neuroendocrine markers. MCC subtypes, which are based on histology, on cell line growth properties, and on gene expression profiles, have been reported but have not been linked to prognosis. Clinical management has been empiric. MCPyV is clonally integrated at various sites in the human genome of MCC tumors, with truncating mutations in the viral, large T antigen gene that interrupt viral replication. MCPyV seroprevalence may be high, as with previously known human polyomaviruses. MCC risk is increased 11-fold with AIDS and with other cell-mediated immune deficiencies, B-cell neoplasms, and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Conclusion Development and validation of a range quantitative polymerase chain reaction and serologic assays for detection of MCPyV, as well as an infectious clone of the virus, would clarify the fundamental biology, natural history, and epidemiology of the virus, of MCC, and of other diseases. Contingent on standardized histologic diagnosis and staging of MCC, consortia are needed to clarify the risks and benefits of sentinel lymph node biopsy, adjuvant radiation therapy, and salvage therapies; consortia are needed also for epidemiologic studies of MCC etiology.

scholarly journals Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Single Institution Outcomes with Adjuvant Radiation Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. E47-E48
Author(s):  
Praveen Pendyala ◽  
John Byun ◽  
Sharad Goyal ◽  
James Goydos ◽  
Ann W. Silk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Single Institution ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document