Spontaneous regression of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma
Hassan, S.J.; Knox, M.; Griffin, M.; Kennedy, M.J.
Irish Medical Journal 103(1): 21-22
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0332-3102 PMID: 20222390 Document Number: 645283
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin predominantly affecting elderly Caucasians. It has a high rate of local recurrence and regional lymph node metastases. It is associated with a poor prognosis. Complete spontaneous regression of Merkel cell carcinoma has been reported but is a poorly understood phenomenon. Here we present a case of complete spontaneous regression of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma demonstrating a markedly different pattern of events from those previously published.