Merkel Cell Carcinoma Presenting as an Indurated Plaque

Margaret Coleman Maxi,Ardenne Martin,Pamela Martin,Joel Byrne

doi:10.25251/skin.4.6.10

Abstract

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma that most commonly occurs in elderly Caucasian males who have a history of extensive sun exposure. Most cases of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) present in the outpatient setting and include a single, asymptomatic, red or pink lesion on sun exposed areas with a diameter less than 2 cm. There was a threefold increase in the incidence of MCC from 1986 to 2001, and the incidence of MCC is predicted to continue to increase secondary to the aging “baby boomer” population.To our knowledge, there are only two case reports that describe MCC resembling and receiving the diagnosis of cellulitis at initial presentation. We report an unusual case of MCC presenting as suspected cellulitis of the chest wall in an elderly Caucasian male.

Highlights

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma that most commonly occurs in elderly Caucasian men who have a history of extensive sun exposure
We report an unusual presentation of MCC in form of an indurated plaque with metastasis
A 93-year-old Caucasian man with a history of vitamin D deficiency, actinic keratoses, and basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck presented to the hospital with a 2month history of progressive swelling, oozing, and redness of his right chest wall and right arm

Summary

Introduction

CASE PRESENTATIONMerkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma that most commonly occurs in elderly Caucasian men who have a history of extensive sun exposure.

Results

Conclusion