Giant Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Limb: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background:

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy that usually grows rapidly at the head and neck. Giant forms at the lower limbs are rarely reported and usually affect patients in the eighth decade or older.

Methods:

We report the case of a 60-year-old man who presented with a giant MCC on his right thigh. We managed this case by applying the 2012 updated guidelines and reviewed all cases of giant MCC of the lower limbs reported in the literature.

Results:

At the 4-month follow-up, the patient showed complete remission.

Conclusion:

Giant forms of MCC are still treated as typical cases of MCC, when these patients show a very poor prognosis. In young and adult people, such as our case, wide surgical excisions, sentinel lymph node biopsy in clinically negative node cases, radiotherapy of the regional drain area, and a strict follow-up should be routinely performed to improve patients' survival.