Merkel cell carcinoma (also known as neuroendocrine or small cell carcinoma of the skin) is a rare neoplasm of the skin that can be staged based on the clinical extent of disease.
|
Status |
Additional Information |
Stage |
|
localized disease |
<= 2 cm in diameter |
IA |
|
|
> 2 cm in diameter |
IB |
|
metastasis to lymph nodes |
|
II |
|
distant metastasis |
|
III |
|
Stage |
Percent with 5 Year Survival |
|
I |
64% |
|
II |
46% |
|
III |
0% (median 5 months) |
|
Stage |
Surgery |
Chemotherapy |
Radiation Therapy |
|
I |
local excision with >2 cm margin; sentinel lymph node biopsy |
little experience (uncertain) |
adjuvant treatment after resection with 45-50 Gy |
|
II |
local excision with >2 cm margin; lymph node dissection |
little experience (uncertain) |
adjuvant treatment after resection to both primary site and lymph node region |
|
III |
|
CAV or EP |
palliative |
where:
• CAV = cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine
• EP = etoposide, cisplatin
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general, Dermatology
