Spontaneous Regression of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Case Report

• Main Authors: Bystricky B, Kohutek F, Miklatkova Z, Sedlacek T, Gal V, Lohajova Behulova R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-10-01
• Series: International Medical Case Reports Journal
• Subjects: skin neuroendocrine tumor; zygomatic region; next-generation sequencing
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/spontaneous-regression-of-merkel-cell-carcinoma-case-report-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IMCRJ

Branislav Bystricky,1 Filip Kohutek,2 Zuzana Miklatkova,2 Tomas Sedlacek,3 Viliam Gal,4 Regina Lohajova Behulova5 1Oncology Department, Faculty Hospital Trencin, Trencin, Slovakia and Faculty of Healthcare, Alexander Dubcek University of Trencin, Trencin, Slovakia; 2Oncology Department, Faculty Hospital Trencin, Trencin, Slovakia; 3Medicyt Trencin, Trencin, Slovakia; 4Unilabs Slovakia, Bratislava, Slovakia; 5Department of Clinical Genetics, St. Elisabeth Cancer Institute, Bratislava, SlovakiaCorrespondence: Branislav BystrickyOncology Department, Faculty Hospital Trencin, Legionarska 28, Trencin, 91171, SlovakiaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin neuroendocrine tumor presumably arising from Merkel cells in the basal layer of epidermis. It is an aggressive tumor predominantly found on the head and neck area of elderly people, with a mortality rate around 41% for all stages. Complete spontaneous regression of MCC is seldom observed, mostly in elderly women. We describe complete spontaneous regression of large, histologically confirmed MCC in an elderly woman after biopsy, which occurred incidentally, while waiting for radical surgery with skin flap. Next-generation sequencing with SOPHiA Solid Tumor Plus Solution did not reveal any relevant gene mutations or rearrangements. An update of literature for these very rare cases is provided.Keywords: skin neuroendocrine tumor, zygomatic region, next-generation sequencing