Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A case presentation in the light of literature

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma of skin is seen mostly in elderly Caucasians. Mortality and morbidity is very high. Treatment of these cases is also quite difficult. Recommended treatment is primary total excision, sentinel lymph node dissection after sentinel lymph node sampling and adding radiotherapy or chemotherapy according to stage. Case Presentation: A 35 year old female patient had surgery because of an unhealed wound on the right ear. After giving adjuvant curative radiotherapy the patient had been followed for 18 months. After 18 months of follow up, Merkel cell carcinoma metastasis was detected and para-aortic metastatic mass was resected. The patient is being considered for chemotherapy. Conclusion: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy observed mostly in elderly Caucasians. Management consists of surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in accordance with the stage.