Molecular imaging and therapy of merkel cell carcinoma

Favorable Response After Only One Cycle of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy With 177Lu-DOTATATE in a Patient With Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

A 77-year-old man with a history of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and debilitating painful cutaneous lesions was referred to our nuclear medicine department for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with Lu-DOTATATE as ultimate therapeutic option. Post-treatment whole body scan showed multiple zones of Lu-DOTATATE uptake in the metastatic regions, which revealed significant improvement within the next 10 days of therapy. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma is an effective therapeutic option that should be considered in earlier stages of the disease.

[Cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma: role of 18FDG PET-CT]

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with unpredictable evolution and high metastatic potential. This neoplasm usually occurs in the elderly on their sun-exposed areas. CCM constant greed for 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) defines the role of positron emission tomography (PET) in this pathology. However, no consensus has yet been reached. This study reports the case of a 25 year old woman treated for metastatic MCC, in order to draw attention to this particular tumor and to illustrate the role of 18 FDG PET in the management of this rare entity.