Merkel cell carcinoma: case report

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), also termed cutaneous small cell carcinoma or trabecular carcinoma, is a rare tumor that most often presents as a solitary nodule on the head, neck, or extremities of older adults. It is an aggressive tumor that usually is fatal due to rapid metastasis. Involvement of lymph nodes at presentation can be used to predict survival. Because MCC is sensitive to radiation, it can be used as an adjunct to surgery. We report a case of MCC to alert clinicians of this potentially fatal tumor because early diagnosis and proper treatment may improve patient survival rates.