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Laryngorhinootologie 1991; 70(3): 142-145
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-998006
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Das Merkelzellkarzinom: Ein endokrin differenzierter Tumor im Kopf-Hals-Bereich

Merkel's Cell Carcinoma: An Endocrine Differentiated Tumour of Head and Neck. Report on two Cases and Immunohistochemical Observations, including Considerations on TherapyCh. Milewski, F. Krummel2 , H. P. Dienes1
  • HNO-Klinik der Universität Würzburg (Direktor: Prof. Dr. J. Helms)
  • 1Pathologisches Institut der Universität Mainz (Direktor: Prof. Dr. W. Thoenes)
  • 2Rotkreuzklinik Wiesbaden, HNO-Abt.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 February 2008 (online)

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Zusammenfassung

Merkelzellkarzinome sind seltene Hauttumoren, die gehäuft im Kopf-Hals-Bereich vorkommen. Zur histologischen Diagnosestellung sind Elektronenmikroskopie oder immunhistochemische Untersuchungen, wie der Nachweis von Zytokeratin und Neuron-spezifischer Enolase (NSE), notwendig. Anhand von zwei Fällen werden das Krankheitsbild, die Histologie und das therapeutische Vorgehen beschrieben.

Summary

Merkel's cell carcinomas are rare tumours of the skin, frequently on the head and neck. Electron microscopial and immunohistological techniques are employed for differentiation from other skin malignancies. With two cases the clinical picture, the typical histology and the therapy are elucidated. - To detect pathognomic antigen expression, antibodies against Neuron-specific-enolase (NSE) as a marker for endocrine activity and cytokeratine to prove the epithelial character of cells were used (Abb.4a,b). - The best treatment of Merkel's cell carcinoma is surgical resection, including the regional lymph nodes. Consecutive radiotherapy is strongly recommended.