Tuktamyshov R, Jain D, Ginsburg PM. Recurrence of Merkel cell carcinoma in the gastrointestinal tract: a case report.
BMC Res Notes 2015;
8:188. [PMID:
25947008 PMCID:
PMC4430924 DOI:
10.1186/s13104-015-1139-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive skin malignancy that arises from primary neural cells and has a tendency for local recurrence and regional lymph node metastases. There are only a few cases in the literature reporting metastases of Merkel cell carcinoma to the gastrointestinal tract.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a 70 year old Caucasian female with distant history of Merkel cell carcinoma who presented with iron-deficiency anemia. Colonoscopy performed later for the evaluation of anemia revealed 1 cm polyp in ascending colon which turned out to be the recurrence of Merkel cell carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma to the gastrointestinal tract or any other organ should be considered in patients with a history of Merkel cell carcinoma.
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