Merkel cell carcinoma: molecular pathogenesis, clinical features and therapy

摘要: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine of the skin. The incidence this rare tumor increasing rapidly; American Cancer Society estimates for 2008 almost 1500 new cases in U.S. Thus, MCC will exceed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Moreover, mortality rate with 33% considerably higher than that melanoma. These clinical observations are especially disturbing as we only recently beginning to understand pathogenesis MCC. For same reason, therapeutic approach often unclear; reliable data available therapy locoregional disease.