Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Multiple Bowen's Disease: Incidental Association or Possible Relationship to Inorganic Arsenic Exposure?

• Published in: Journal of dermatology Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 310 - 316
• Main Authors: Ohnishi, Yuko, Murakami, Shinji, Ohtsuka, Hisashi, Miyauchi, Shunji, Shinmori, Hideyo, Hashimoto, Koji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-05-1997
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arsenic Poisoning; Bowen's Disease - chemically induced; Bowen's Disease - complications; Bowen's Disease - pathology; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - chemically induced; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - complications; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - pathology; chronic arsenic poisoning; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Male; Merkel cell carcinoma; multiple Bowen's disease; Skin Neoplasms - chemically induced; Skin Neoplasms - complications; Skin Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0385-2407; 1346-8138
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1997.tb02796.x

An 81‐year‐old Japanese male was referred to our clinic in 1991 with multiple Bowen's disease. The associated hyperpigmentation of the trunk and extremities and palmo‐plantar keratotic nodules indicated that he had suffered from chronic arsenic poisoning. Interestingly, he was a native of Namikata in Ehime, Japan, where many residents have suffered from multiple Bowen's disease with internal malignancy. Arsenic exposure was strongly suspected. Two years later, Merkel cell carcinoma developed on the dorsum of his right hand, where Bowen's disease lesions were absent. Metastasis of this Merkel cell carcinoma led to his eventual death one year later. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Merkel cell carcinoma associated with multiple Bowen's disease. Chronic arsenic poisoning may be responsible for the association of these two rare skin neoplasms.