Merkel cell carcinoma: An Australian perspective and the importance of addressing the regional lymph nodes in clinically node-negative patients

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 33 - 40
• Main Authors: Howle, Julie R., MS, FRACS, Hughes, T. Michael, FRACS, Gebski, Val, BA, MStat, Veness, Michael J., MD, MMed, FRANZCR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.07.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - secondary; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - therapy; Dermatology; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Lymph Nodes - pathology; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Medical sciences; Merkel cell carcinoma; Middle Aged; Prognosis; radiotherapy; recurrence; sentinel lymph node biopsy; Skin Neoplasms - mortality; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - therapy; Survival Rate; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Australia; Oceania; recurrence; DFS; sentinel lymph node biopsy; disease-free survival; OS; SLN; Merkel cell carcinoma; radiotherapy; overall survival; sentinel lymph node; SLNB; MCC; Human; Skin disease; Lymph node; Dermatology; Malignant tumor; Cancer

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous malignancy. Nodal status has prognostic significance. Objective We sought to analyze for factors predictive of survival and explore the significance of lymph node status and indication for sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients w...