Atypical Presentation of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report

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Ibraheim Ayub, DO
Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Brittany Snyder, DO, PharmD
Department of Academic Dermatology, Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

Michael DeWall, DO
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

Sakeena Fatima, MD
Dermatology Specialists of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Keywords

Dermatology, Atypical Presentation, Subcutaneous Nodule, Immunohistochemistry, dermatopathology, Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that usually presents as a pink to violaceous nodule or plaque on sun exposed skin. We report a case of MCC in a 75 year old male with an asymptomatic skin-colored nodule over his right thigh. Histopathology of a punch biopsy showed basophilic cells with a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. The biopsy stained positive for CK20, chromogranin, and synaptophysin with a negative TTF1 stain. The patient underwent wide-local excision with two-centimeter margins, and subsequent adjuvant radiation for positive sentinel lymph node disease. This case highlights an atypical presentation of MCC while underscoring the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

References

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Published
2025-11-10
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25251/xnq4r512

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How to Cite
1.
Atypical Presentation of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report . J of Skin. 2025;9(6):2790-2793. doi:10.25251/xnq4r512
Issue
Vol. 9 No. 6 (2025): November 2025 Issue
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Brief Articles
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