A Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin

A 79-year old female caucasian patient presented in January 91 with a nodular lesion of the right cheek that had appeared rapidly. The histologic specimen was in favour of a primary neuroendocrine skin tumor, Merkel cell carcinoma-. In March 91, a relapsing nodule had grown up and adenopathies were found on the right parotid and sub-mandibular spaces. An aggressive polychemotherapy was performed for 6 cycles and a complete remission was obtained. In November 91 the sub-mandibular lymph node had reappeared. A complete staging was again performed. After 3 cycles of chemotherapy, a regional radiotherapy completed the treatment. With a follow-up of more than 8 years the patient stays in complete remission in April 2000.