Giant neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the skin

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991 May;24(5 Pt 2):827-31. doi: 10.1016/0190-9622(91)70125-l.

Abstract

An 82-year-old woman had a dark red to purple tumor on the left buttock that had gradually enlarged during the last 5 years. Although routine histologic examination was not sufficient for diagnosis, neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. Immunohistochemical-positive reactions to neurofilament, cytokeratin, neuron-specific enolase, and epithelial membrane antigen were noted. Electron microscopically, membrane-bound, dense core granules that yielded a positive uranaffin reaction and intermediate filaments in the perinuclear area were observed in the cytoplasm of most tumor cells. Desmosome-like structure between them was also found. Approximately 6 months after local excision, metastatic lesions developed in the regional lymph nodes and liver.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actins / analysis
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Buttocks*
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / pathology*
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / analysis
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase