Spontaneous regression of merkel cell carcinoma: Case report

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin neuroendocrine tumor presumably arising from Merkel cells in the basal layer of epidermis. It is an aggressive tumor pre-dominantly found on the head and neck area of elderly people, with a mortality rate around 41% for all stages. Complete spontaneous regression of MCC is seldom observed, mostly in elderly women. We describe complete spontaneous regression of large, histologically con-firmed MCC in an elderly woman after biopsy, which occurred incidentally, while waiting for radical surgery with skin flap. Next-generation sequencing with SOPHiA Solid Tumor Plus Solution did not reveal any relevant gene mutations or rearrangements. An update of literature for these very rare cases is provided.