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Merkel cell carcinoma: what makes a difference?
- Source :
-
American journal of surgery [Am J Surg] 2015 Feb; Vol. 209 (2), pp. 342-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Jul 30. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor that may spread via lymphatics and can therefore be staged with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). MCC is radiosensitive and chemosensitive, although the role of adjuvant therapy is still unclear. We examined the impact of different treatments on the outcome of MCC.<br />Methods: We performed a retrospective review of state cancer registry data from California, Oregon, and Washington of patients diagnosed with primary skin MCC between 1988 and 2012 (n = 4,038). Data were analyzed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods to examine disease-specific survival.<br />Results: Patients with positive nodes or no documented nodal evaluation had worse survival compared with node-negative patients. No nodal evaluation had decreased survival compared with lymph node evaluation by SLNB. Completion lymph node dissection conferred improved survival in patients with a positive SLNB. In clinically node-negative patients who had a positive SLNB, radiation and chemotherapy did not affect survival.<br />Conclusions: Lymph node evaluation is an important component to MCC treatment. The role of adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy needs further evaluation.<br /> (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
California epidemiology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell mortality
Female
Humans
Lymph Node Excision
Lymphatic Metastasis
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Neoplasm Staging
Oregon epidemiology
Registries
Retrospective Studies
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Survival Rate
Washington epidemiology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell pathology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1879-1883
- Volume :
- 209
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- American journal of surgery
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25152250
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.06.013