1. Merkel cell carcinoma with a desmoplastic portion.
- Author
-
Kossard S, Wittal R, and Killingsworth M
- Subjects
- Aged, Biopsy, Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ultrastructure, Cell Differentiation, Cell Nucleus ultrastructure, Diagnosis, Differential, Fibrosis, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Phosphopyruvate Hydratase analysis, Skin Neoplasms ultrastructure, Carcinoma, Merkel Cell pathology, Skin Neoplasms pathology
- Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin usually has a trabecular, intermediate-cell or small-cell pattern of differentiation. We report the case of a 66-year-old man who developed a progressive multinodular plaque that showed a prominent desmoplastic component on preliminary biopsy. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies and the final surgical specimen confirmed that the tumor was a Merkel cell carcinoma. The presence of desmoplasia may mask the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma.
- Published
- 1995
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