Cutaneous neuroendocrine tumors

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinomas are aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumors that have recently been associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus. Visceral neuroendocrine tumors can involve the skin secondarily, usually in the setting of disseminated disease but can be the primary manifestation of disease. Knowledge of the clinical, histologic, and immunophenotypic features of tumors is essential for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors in the skin. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.