Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a disease of the elderly and is more lethal than melanoma. MCC is increasing in incidence; Australia is the country with the highest incidence in the world. Radiotherapy to the primary site and regional lymph nodes increases local and regional control but not MCC-specific survival nor overall survival in this disease. This may be because MCC can metastasize early to distant sites and occurs in a population with competing risks of death. Immunosuppression at diagnosis is the one factor on multivariate analysis that impacts MCC-specific survival and overall survival. Retrospective studies support the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in MCC. Prospective randomized studies are needed to guide management and should include RT as treatment and should stratify for immune status at diagnosis.
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Fogarty, G., Kang, S.H., Haydu, L.E. (2015). Merkel Cell Carcinoma: The Sydney Experience. In: Panizzon, R., Seegenschmiedt, M. (eds) Radiation Treatment and Radiation Reactions in Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44826-7_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44826-7_12
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