Merkel cell carcinoma of the upper lid

• Published in: Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie : MKG Vol. 10; no. 6; p. 419
• Main Authors: Schmitt, W, Ramp, U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-11-2006
• Subjects: Aged; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - surgery; Eyelid Neoplasms - diagnosis; Eyelid Neoplasms - pathology; Eyelid Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Neoplasm Staging; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Surgical Flaps
• ISSN: 1432-9417
• DOI: 10.1007/s10006-006-0027-3

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin is a rare form of cutaneous malignancy of neuroendocrine origin with a propensity to form cutaneous and lymphogenous metastases. The tumor, affecting predominately elderly patients, has a significantly higher incidence in female patients (80%) compared to male patients (20%). The mainstay of therapy is surgical resection with possible adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy.
A case of a 78-year-old patient with a MCC of the upper lid without lymph node involvement or distant metastasis is described. The tumor was resected and the defect closed by a temporal skin flap performing a temporary cantholysis. The clinical follow-up revealed an undisturbed eye lid function without any clinical or radiological signs of a locoregional or distant recurrence.