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Cutaneous Merkel Cell Carcinoma

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Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy that usually presents as a small (<2 cm) skin lesion without evidence of regional or distant disease. The diagnostic evaluation includes a chest radiograph, computed tomography of the regional lymph nodes, and positron emission tomography. Treatment consists of excision of the primary lesion and any positive regional nodes followed by postoperative radiotherapy to the primary site and regional lymphatics. The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy is unproven and it is not routinely employed. The 5-year local-regional control rate is approximately 80–90 %. The dominant mode of failure is distant. The 5-year cause-specific and overall survival rates are approximately 40–50 %. The likelihood of severe treatment complications is relatively low.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2000 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    William M. Mendenhall

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  1. William M. Mendenhall
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Correspondence to William M. Mendenhall .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Florida State University College of Medi, Division of Dermatology, Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee, Riggins Road 1707, Tallahassee, 32308, Florida, USA

    Armand B. Cognetta Jr.

  2. College of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, 2000 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, 32610, Florida, USA

    William M. Mendenhall

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Mendenhall, W.M. (2013). Cutaneous Merkel Cell Carcinoma. In: Cognetta Jr., A., Mendenhall, W. (eds) Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6986-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6986-5_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6985-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6986-5

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