Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1999 Feb;42(2):258-261.

A Case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Parotid Lymph Node Metastasis

• Kim YH
• Choi JY
• Lee SY
• Choi EC

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is an unusual skin tumor of neuroendocrine origin. The incidence of tumor in the head and neck region is approximately 50%. Most of these carcinomas occur in the elderly patients. The treatment of choice is wide local excision of the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes followed by irradiation. Local recurrence develops in 26-44% of patients despite treatment, and distant metastasis occurs in one third of all patients. Reported overall five-year survival rates range from 30% to 64%. We report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma on the upper eyelid with parotid lymph node metastasis. The pathology, clinical appearance and management of this rare tumor are discussed.

Keyword

Merkel cell carcinoma; Upper eyelid; Parotid gland

MeSH Terms

Aged
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell*
Eyelids
Head
Humans
Incidence
Lymph Nodes*
Neck
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Parotid Gland
Pathology, Clinical
Recurrence
Skin
Survival Rate