Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 20 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma in search of prognostic markers

摘要: Aims:  To evaluate the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in an attempt to find new, potentially significant, prognostic markers. Methods results:  Clinical data follow-up, histopathological features (pattern, size, thickness, mitoses, vascular invasion, lymphocytic infiltration) detection [CK20, thyroid transcription factor (TTF-1), chromogranin A, synaptophysin, p53, Ki67, Fli-1, CD99, c-Kit] were evaluated 20 cases MCC. Fli-1 CD99 detected 90% 55% cases, respectively. Tumour size > 30 mm, stage II, ‘absent’ infiltration, presence > 50% Ki67+ tumour cells, found be indicators disease-free interval (DFI), but only infiltration constituted independent DFI after multivariate analysis. For overall survival, same variables, together with local recurrence lymph node involvement, had significance, as analysis. Conclusions:  Absence Ki67 immunoreactivity more than 50% cells should conjunction other well-known markers Furthermore, recognizing that expression is commonly MCC by immunohistochemistry may avoid misinterpretation differential diagnosis small round tumours.