0000000000480839
AUTHOR
Cornelia Mauch
S2k guidelines for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC, neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin) – update 2018
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC, ICD-O M8247 / 3) is a rare malignant primary skin tumor with epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation. The neoplastic cells share many morphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics with Merkel cells of the skin. The diagnosis of MCC is rarely made on clinical grounds. Histological and immunohistochemical studies are usually required to confirm the clinical suspicion. Given the frequent occurrence of occult lymph node metastasis, sentinel lymph node biopsy should be performed once distant metastasis has been ruled out by cross-sectional imaging. Primary tumors without evidence of organ metastases are treated with complete surgical exc…
Extended surgical safety margins and ulceration are associated with an improved prognosis in pleomorphic dermal sarcomas
BACKGROUND Pleomorphic dermal sarcomas (PDS) are frequent UV-induced sarcomas of the skin of intermediate grade malignant potential. Despite the fact that PDS have a noteworthy potential to recur (up to 28%) as well as to metastasize (up to 20%), there are no specific clinical guidelines with respect to follow-up these patients. Moreover, little is known about clinical, histological or molecular prognostic factors in PDS. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors to predict relapse in a large multicentre sample cohort of PDS which could aid to optimize personalized treatment recommendations regarding surgical safety margins and adjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS Patien…