Abstract
BACKGROUND: Merkel cell tumor is an uncommon, aggressive neoplasm of the skin, now regarded as a neuroendocrine carcinoma. Eyelids are among the sites where it can develop, often mimicking a benign process. The purpose of this report is to describe two new cases and to discuss briefly the problems of diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Two patients with Merkel cell tumor of the eyelids are described. In both cases, the original clinical diagnosis was chalazion. Progressive growth of the lesion identified it as a tumor some 2-7 months after it was first noticed. The patients were treated by surgical excision of the tumor tissue, and only one by a course of local radiotherapy. The visual acuity was measured with Snellen fractions. The dose of local radiotherapy is given in cGy. RESULTS: Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies identified the lesion as a neuroendocrine carcinoma, consistent with Merkel cell tumor. The natural history was marked by aggressive behavior in one case, and by a delayed recurrence in the other, requiring different therapeutic approaches. CONCLUSION: Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid is a tumor that ophthalmogists should be aware of, as early diagnosis is a prerequisite for successful treatment. Rapid recurrence of any chalazion in a middle-aged or elderly patient should therefore prompt its histological examination to exclude the possibility of a malignant tumor.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 171-177 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Orbit |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2000 |
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Keywords
- Chalazion
- Eyelid carcinoma
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- Neuroendocrine carcinoma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
Cite this
Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma ("Merkel cell tumor") of the eyelid : A report of two cases. / Di Maria, A.; Carnevali, L.; Redaelli, C.; Trimarchi, F.
In: Orbit, Vol. 19, No. 3, 2000, p. 171-177.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma ("Merkel cell tumor") of the eyelid
T2 - A report of two cases
AU - Di Maria, A.
AU - Carnevali, L.
AU - Redaelli, C.
AU - Trimarchi, F.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - BACKGROUND: Merkel cell tumor is an uncommon, aggressive neoplasm of the skin, now regarded as a neuroendocrine carcinoma. Eyelids are among the sites where it can develop, often mimicking a benign process. The purpose of this report is to describe two new cases and to discuss briefly the problems of diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Two patients with Merkel cell tumor of the eyelids are described. In both cases, the original clinical diagnosis was chalazion. Progressive growth of the lesion identified it as a tumor some 2-7 months after it was first noticed. The patients were treated by surgical excision of the tumor tissue, and only one by a course of local radiotherapy. The visual acuity was measured with Snellen fractions. The dose of local radiotherapy is given in cGy. RESULTS: Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies identified the lesion as a neuroendocrine carcinoma, consistent with Merkel cell tumor. The natural history was marked by aggressive behavior in one case, and by a delayed recurrence in the other, requiring different therapeutic approaches. CONCLUSION: Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid is a tumor that ophthalmogists should be aware of, as early diagnosis is a prerequisite for successful treatment. Rapid recurrence of any chalazion in a middle-aged or elderly patient should therefore prompt its histological examination to exclude the possibility of a malignant tumor.
AB - BACKGROUND: Merkel cell tumor is an uncommon, aggressive neoplasm of the skin, now regarded as a neuroendocrine carcinoma. Eyelids are among the sites where it can develop, often mimicking a benign process. The purpose of this report is to describe two new cases and to discuss briefly the problems of diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Two patients with Merkel cell tumor of the eyelids are described. In both cases, the original clinical diagnosis was chalazion. Progressive growth of the lesion identified it as a tumor some 2-7 months after it was first noticed. The patients were treated by surgical excision of the tumor tissue, and only one by a course of local radiotherapy. The visual acuity was measured with Snellen fractions. The dose of local radiotherapy is given in cGy. RESULTS: Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies identified the lesion as a neuroendocrine carcinoma, consistent with Merkel cell tumor. The natural history was marked by aggressive behavior in one case, and by a delayed recurrence in the other, requiring different therapeutic approaches. CONCLUSION: Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid is a tumor that ophthalmogists should be aware of, as early diagnosis is a prerequisite for successful treatment. Rapid recurrence of any chalazion in a middle-aged or elderly patient should therefore prompt its histological examination to exclude the possibility of a malignant tumor.
KW - Chalazion
KW - Eyelid carcinoma
KW - Merkel cell carcinoma
KW - Neuroendocrine carcinoma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034473397&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0034473397&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1076/orbi.19.3.171.2664
DO - 10.1076/orbi.19.3.171.2664
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0034473397
VL - 19
SP - 171
EP - 177
JO - Orbit
JF - Orbit
SN - 0167-6830
IS - 3
ER -