Pituitary metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma

J Neurooncol. 2010 Apr;97(2):295-9. doi: 10.1007/s11060-009-0025-z. Epub 2009 Oct 6.

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant neuroendocrine tumor of the skin that demonstrates a remarkable tendency to metastasize. However, only a few cases of MCC brain metastases have been reported in the literature. We here present a unique case of a pituitary metastasis of MCC in a 65-year-old patient with a history of pituitary adenoma. This case is particularly novel due to the fact that the primary site of the MCC is unknown.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*