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Case Report
An atypical localization of a Merkel cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature
1 Resident, Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Rabat, Morocco
2 Specialist, Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Rabat, Morocco
3 Professor and Chief of Department, Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Rabat, Morocco
4 Assistant Professor, Radiology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Rabat, Morocco
Address correspondence to:
Iraqi Fatima Zahra
Agdal, Rabat,
Morocco
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Article ID: 101237Z01IZ2021
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Zahra IF, Hounayda J, Rachida L, Youssef O. An atypical localization of a Merkel cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature. Int J Case Rep Images 2021;12:101237Z01IZ2021.ABSTRACT
Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin tumor of neuroendocrine origin that derives from Merkel cells and occurs predominantly on the head or neck of elderly individuals at an average age of 69 years old. Its main risk factors are immunosuppression and ultraviolet exposure. The diagnosis is established on the histological aspect and completed by immunohistochemistry.
Case Report: We report the case of a 65-year-old female patient, with no particular antecedents, who had right axillary swelling. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) showed a large right axillary mass of irregular contours, lobulated, heterogeneously enhanced after CP injection with central hypodense zone of necrosis. The confrontation of the morphological aspect and the results of the immunohistochemistry carried out made it possible to retain the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma.
Conclusion: Merkel cell carcinoma is a very aggressive cancer of the elderly. In case of doubt, a biopsy for histological confirmation should be performed. The therapy is usually based on a radical surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy.
Keywords: Axillary mass, Carcinoma, Histology, Merkel
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Author Contributions
Iraqi Fatima Zahra - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Jerguigue Hounayda - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Drafting the article, Final approval of the version to be published
Latib Rachida - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Omor Youssef - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guaranter of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2021 Iraqi Fatima Zahra et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
