Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026

13:45
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
Published on: February 7, 2019
10.3K
Rapidly Progressive Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Atypical Metastatic Pattern-A Case Report and Brief Literature Review
Teodora Gabriela Alexescu1, Denisa Lungu2, Tania Popescu3
14th Medical Discipline, Department of Internal Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Republicii Street, No. 18, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 11, 2025
Summary
This case highlights a rare, aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) with exceptionally rapid progression and splenic involvement in an 84-year-old male. The findings suggest highly proliferative MCC subtypes may bypass typical metastatic pathways.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer.
- Incidence is rising in elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with UV exposure.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Progression
7.2K
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
7.2K
Metastasis
6.3K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.3K

