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Revista Española de Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial
On-line version ISSN 2173-9161Print version ISSN 1130-0558
Abstract
LOPEZ-ARCAS, J.M. et al. Cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma: Case report and literature review. Rev Esp Cirug Oral y Maxilofac [online]. 2008, vol.30, n.1, pp.29-34. ISSN 2173-9161.
Merkel-cell carcinoma is a rare skin cancer of neuroendocrine origin, which has been described as the most aggressive skin malignancy. The tumor arises from the Merkel cells, or skin pressure receptors. It has an infiltrative growth pattern and spreads by the lymphatic vessels and blood. It is similar to small cell lung carcinoma, with an intrinsic sensitivity to chemo-radiotherapy and a remarkable tendency to metastasize. The best treatment outcomes are obtained with early diagnosis and a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. A clinical case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the face treated with surgery and radiotherapy is reported and the literature is reviewed
Keywords : Merkel cells; Merkel cancer; Skin cancer.