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Merkel cell carcinoma: literature review
Affiliations- Basildon University Hospital, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) was given a such name after the German histopathologist Friedrich Merkel, who first in 1875, described the Merkel cells, as small round or oval basophilic cells located at the end of nerve axons and within the basal layer of the epidermis. The current agreement about the function of Merkel cells they are associated with the nerve terminals acting as mechanoreceptors. MCC is a clinically aggressive uncommon, cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplastic tumour with a high mortality rate. Clinically may be presented as a painless, rapidly growing, dome-shaped red or purplish nodule. Usually in a sun-exposed area of the head and neck or upper limbs. Tremendous effort has been done in the last few years for a better understanding of the pathogenesis behind the MCC and the discovery of the Merkel cell polyomavirus suggests another clue to its pathogenesis. The expression of both epithelial and neuroendocrine immunohistochemical markers in the malignant cells, gives the tumour a unique feature that helps differentiate this neoplasm from other entities.
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) was given a such name after the German histopathologist Friedrich Merkel, who first in 1875, described the Merkel cells, as small round or oval basophilic cells located at the end of nerve axons and within the basal layer of the epidermis. The current agreement about the function of Merkel cells they are associated with the nerve terminals acting as mechanoreceptors. MCC is a clinically aggressive uncommon, cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplastic tumour with a high mortality rate. Clinically may be presented as a painless, rapidly growing, dome-shaped red or purplish nodule. Usually in a sun-exposed area of the head and neck or upper limbs. Tremendous effort has been done in the last few years for a better understanding of the pathogenesis behind the MCC and the discovery of the Merkel cell polyomavirus suggests another clue to its pathogenesis. The expression of both epithelial and neuroendocrine immunohistochemical markers in the malignant cells, gives the tumour a unique feature that helps differentiate this neoplasm from other entities.
Keywords
Merkel cell carcinoma, trabecular carcinoma, Toker tumour, polyomavirus
About this articleTitle
Merkel cell carcinoma: literature review
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
127-131
Published online
2017-10-16
Page views
711
Article views/downloads
779
DOI
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2017;67(2):127-131.
Keywords
Merkel cell carcinoma
trabecular carcinoma
Toker tumour
polyomavirus
Authors
Abdalla Saad Abdalla Al‐Zawi
Andrew Prodromou
Wayne Chicken
Turhan Comez
Ekin Deniz