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Int J Angiol 1997; 6(4): 257-260
DOI: 10.1007/BF01616223
Original Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Acute iliofemoral thrombosis secondary to Merkel cell carcinoma compressing the inferior vena cava

David M. Aboulafia1 , Albert J. Aboulafia2 , Elie D. Aboulafia3
  • 1University of Washington School of Medicine and Section of Hematology/Oncology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
  • 2Section of Orthopedic Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
  • 3Michigan State University (C.O.M.) and Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Sinai Hospital of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan
Presented at The 16th Annual Congress, The Phlebology Society of America, New York, New York, March 1996
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive small cell neoplasm of the skin characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation. It most commonly involves the head and neck of elderly Caucasians. We present a patient with MCC of the buttock, who 32 months after primary surgery and 18 months after combined chemoradiotherapy developed retroperitoneal metastases causing inferior vena cava (IVC) compression and lower extremity thrombosis. He received anticoagulants, but died 2 months later. This is the first report of MCC causing IVC compression and iliofemoral venous thrombosis. This case illustrates the precarious natural history of this tumor and the controversies that surround its treatment.