Weekly Case

Title : Case 661

Age / Sex : 69 / F


Chief complaint : a nodule in the left cheek, growing gradually over several months


What is your diagnosis?

Two weeks later, you can see the final diagonosis with a brief discussion of this case (Please submit only one answer).



Courtesy : 
박세경, Sekyoung Park, 고신대병원, Kosin University Gospel Hospital


 


Diagnosis:

Merkel cell carcinoma



Discussion


Findings: 7x5x5 mm sized well-circumscribed hypoechoic nodule with marked vascularity of the dermis and hypodermis


  


Differential Diagnosis: glomus tumor 


 


Discussion:



  • Aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor

  • The incidence of this rare tumor is increasing rapidly; the American Cancer Society estimates for 2008 almost 1500 new cases in the USA. Thus, the incidence of MCC will exceed the incidence of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The 5-year survival rate of 30–64% for MCC is much worse than that of melanoma 

  •  Seventh and eighth decades of life

  • M> F

  • Head and neck (m/c), extremities, and the trunk

  • A high incidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis

  • Staging is an important determinant of survival.

  • Definitive diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma requires biopsy.

  • Because of the rarity of MCC and the resulting insufficient awareness of this neoplasm, imaging findings have been reported only in a few series.

  • Color Doppler sonographic findings in primary cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma: prominent and chaotic hypervascularity with arterial vessels .

  • Imaging plays an important role in staging and follow-up of MCC patients.

  • Standard management

    • Wide local excision.

    • Regional nodes are managed by surgery or radiotherapy.




  


References:


J Invest Dermatol. 2007 Sep;127(9):2100-3.


J Ultrasound Med. 2018 Jan;37(1):285-292. doi: 10.1002/jum.14329. Epub 2017 Jul 20.


RadioGraphics 2002; 22:367–376



Correct Answer
Total applicants 20 Correct answers 3
Name Institution
김다정 전문의
이규정 고대안암병원, 전문의
김성진 365병원, 전문의
Semi-Correct Answer
Total applicants 20 Semi-Correct answers 10
변성환 전공의
전인환 전문의
이혜란 전문의
김기욱 국군수도병원, 전문의
김지은 서울대학교병원, 전문의
강지희 서울대학교병원, 전문의
이진영 전문의
윤소연 전공의
김현진 전공의
김형민 전문의


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