Wide local excision for Merkel cell carcinoma of the lower extremity: A case report

Primary Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is rare and wide local excision is the primary method of treatment. However, no consensus has been reached on the best surgical approach and research is currently limited. The choice of surgical method depends on the experience of the surgeon and the situation of the patient. In the present study, the clinical data of a single case of primary MCC that was treated with wide local excision in June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and the associated literature was reviewed. The patient underwent complete resection of the tumor, which extended 2 cm from the outer edge of the nodule and reached the subcutaneous fat layer. The wound was closed with a tension-relieving suture. The stitches were removed 15 days following surgery and the wound had healed adequately. No recurrence occurred during 30 months of follow-up. However, further multi-center prospective randomized clinical trials are required for further investigation.