Case Study
Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology 6, 544-548 (September 2009) | doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2009.109
Subject Category: Chemotherapy
Neoadjuvant polychemotherapy in locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma
Thomas Jouary1, Nathalie Lalanne1, François Siberchicot2, Anne-Sophie Ricard2, Julie Versapuech1, Sébastien Lepreux2, Michèle Delaunay1 & Alain Taieb1 About the authors
Abstract
Background. A 72-year-old man presented with a Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the left cheek with concomitant nodal spread. A 61-year-old man presented with an MCC of the right thigh with rapid nodal recurrence.
Investigations. Skin biopsy samples proved the MCC nature of the neoplasm in both patients. Staging procedure included clinical and radiological investigations.
Diagnosis. Advanced stage II MCC.
Management. Neoadjuvant cisplatin, etoposide and cyclophosphamide (EPC) regimen led to local control in the first patient and allowed curative surgery associated with adjuvant radiation therapy. Complete remission was maintained for 32 months. The second patient was treated by surgery plus radiation therapy. Nodal and cutaneous recurrences were treated with a neoadjuvant EPC regimen leading to a 5-year complete remission.
Author affiliations
- Dermatology Department, Skin Cancer Unit, St André's Hospital, Bordeaux, France.
- Pellegrin Hospital, Bordeaux, France.
Correspondence to: T. Jouary, Dermatology Department, Skin Cancer Unit, Saint André's Hospital, 1 Rue Jean Burguet, 33075 Bordeaux cedex, France
Email: thomas.jouary@chu-bordeaux.fr
