J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  2006 Mar;33(2):233-236.

Evaluation of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Metastasis Using Positron Emission Topography/CT

• Kwon SH
• Song JK
• Yoo G
• Byeon JH

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is rare skin malignancy originated from epidermal mechanoreceptor of neural origin. The tumor usually affects older individuals at sun exposed area such as head, neck and extremity. Subclinical involvement of regional lymph node is reported frequently at the time of initial treatment. Thus even asymptomatic patients who present with clinically localized tumor should undergo evaluation with computed tomography and lymphangiography. Positron emission tomography(PET) scans can imaging the metabolic difference of malignant tumors. Increased glucose uptake of malignant tumor cells are detected by PET scanner. PET scans can provide qualitative and quantitative informations about systemic metastasis of tumors. Although there are no data that define the efficacy of PET scans in the initial diagnostic evaluation of head and neck cancer, they could be considered. Current standards of treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma is wide surgical excision and regional lymphadenectomy if there are suspicious lymph nodes. The author reported a patient with Merkel cell carcinoma of cheek. Wide surgical excision and postoperative PET/CT was done for evaluation of regional lymph node and distant metastasis. There were two hot-uptakes in patient's neck, so they were considered as metastatic node, but finally they were proved to be tuberculosis lymphadenitis after excision.

Keyword

Merkel cell carcinoma; PET/CT

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Merkel Cell*
Cheek
Electrons*
Extremities
Glucose
Head
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Lymph Node Excision
Lymph Nodes
Lymphadenitis
Lymphography
Mechanoreceptors
Neck
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Positron-Emission Tomography
Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography
Skin
Solar System
Tuberculosis
Glucose