Merkel cell carcinoma of the alveolar mucosa in a young adult: A rare case report

• Published in: British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 48 - 50
• Main Authors: Prabhu, Sudeendra, Smitha, R.S, Punnya, V.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Alveolar mucosa; Alveolar Process - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - secondary; Chromogranins - analysis; Dentistry; Dermatology; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Keratin-3 - analysis; Lymphatic Metastasis - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Merkel cell carcinoma; Mouth Floor - pathology; Mouth Mucosa - pathology; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; Neuroendocrine carcinoma; Oral Ulcer - pathology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Radiography, Panoramic; Surgery; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Young adult; Alveolar mucosa; Merkel cell carcinoma; Neuroendocrine carcinoma; Young adult; Human; Case study; Skin disease; Treatment; Stomatology; Surgery; Mucosa; Malignant tumor; Tooth alveolus; Cancer
• ISSN: 0266-4356; 1532-1940
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2008.12.005

Abstract Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an extremely rare and aggressive primary neuroendocrine neoplasm of the skin with a poor prognosis. It occurs mainly in the sixth and seventh decades of life and is usually associated with damage caused by over exposure to the sun. Its occurrence in intraoral mucosal sites is rare, and we know of only six reported cases. We report a rare case of MCC that arose in the alveolar mucosa of a young adult.