Evaluation and management of lymph node metastasis should be performed in all patients with MCC, because lymph node metastasis develops in up to 75% of patients. But, Routine performance of elective lymph node dissection (ELND) is cur­rently considered controversial because of potential morbidity, without proven survival benefit. Many recent studies suggest that, as alternative method, [...]

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) typically presents as a solitary dome-shaped, deep red to violaceous nodule or indurated plaque and tends to have a shiny surface, often with overlying telangiectasia. The overlying skin is usually intact. Histologically, anastomosing cords and strands of neoplastic cells are seen in the dermis and subcutis, but not in the epidermis. [...]

A 73-year-old man had a 2-month history of a rapidly growing painless mass on the left upper arm.

INTRODUCTION Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), also referred as neuroendocrine or trabecular carcinoma, is an uncommon malignancy originally described by Toker in 1972. Although the exact origin of the Merkel cell is unknown, it probably arises from neuro¬endocrine cells between the basal epidermis and then grows vertically into the dermis and sub¬cutaneous tissue. It usually arises [...]