What are the diagnostic guidelines for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)?
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Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma were released in 2015 by a collaborative group of multidisciplinary experts from the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO), and the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Diagnostic guidelines included the following:
Clinical features of the cutaneous/subcutaneous nodules contribute little to the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma
The diagnosis is made by histopathology, and an incisional or excisional biopsy is mandatory
Immunohistochemical staining contributes to clarification of the diagnosis
Initial work-up consists of ultrasonography of the locoregional lymph nodes and total body scanning examinations
In patients without clinical evidence of regional lymph node involvement, sentinel node biopsy is recommended, if possible, and will be taken into account in a new version of the American Joint Committee on Cancer classification -
@manish-sharma Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is the eponym for primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma, a dermal neoplasm with cytoplasmic, dense-core neuroendocrine granules and keratin filaments. A rare cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neoplasm that lacks distinguishing clinical features. More than half of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) occur in the head and neck of elderly people, in areas of actinically damaged skin. The most common site of occurrence is the periorbital region.