Merkel cell carcinoma: two case reports focusing on the role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in staging and surveillance

Min Yao; Russell B Smith; Henry T Hoffman; Gerry F Funk; Michael M Graham; John M Buatti

doi:10.1097/01.coc.0000144850.68142.68

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Merkel cell carcinoma: two case reports focusing on the role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in staging and surveillance

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Merkel cell carcinoma: two case reports focusing on the role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in staging and surveillance

Min Yao, Russell B Smith, Henry T Hoffman, Gerry F Funk, Michael M Graham and John M Buatti

American journal of clinical oncology, Vol.28(2), pp.205-210

04/2005

DOI: 10.1097/01.coc.0000144850.68142.68

PMID: 15803018

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Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin neuroendocrine carcinoma frequently occurring in the head and neck area. It is known for being a locally aggressive disease with a high incidence of regional and distant metastases. Accurate initial staging and close surveillance are critical in the management of the disease. Two cases of MCC are reported in which fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) imaging has been beneficial in directing management and predicting clinical course. Pretreatment FDG PET scans detected metastatic disease in subcentimeter lymph nodes that were not appreciated in initial computed tomography images. Posttreatment FDG PET scans predicted response to therapy with the level of FDG uptake correlating in both areas of complete response to treatment and areas of residual diseases. Finally, FDG PET imaging also detected the progression of the disease after initial treatment. FDG PET imaging is a very sensitive modality in staging, assessment of treatment response, and surveillance of MCC. Because of the rarity of MCC, multicenter study is warranted to accumulate enough cases to determine the sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET in staging and surveillance of MCC, and the impact on the management and treatment outcome.

Skin Neoplasms - pathology

Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging

Humans

Middle Aged

Carcinoma, Basal Cell - secondary

Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - diagnostic imaging

Male

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnostic imaging

Positron-Emission Tomography

Carcinoma, Basal Cell - diagnostic imaging

Neoplasms, Multiple Primary - diagnostic imaging

Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology

Lymphatic Metastasis - diagnostic imaging

Aged, 80 and over

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secondary

Fluorodeoxyglucose F18

Aged

Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - secondary

Radiopharmaceuticals

Details

Title: Subtitle: Merkel cell carcinoma: two case reports focusing on the role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in staging and surveillance
Creators: Min Yao - Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. min-yao@uiowa.edu
Russell B Smith
Henry T Hoffman
Gerry F Funk
Michael M Graham
John M Buatti
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of clinical oncology, Vol.28(2), pp.205-210
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1097/01.coc.0000144850.68142.68
PMID: 15803018
ISSN: 0277-3732
eISSN: 1537-453X
Language: English
Date published: 04/2005
Academic Unit: Radiology; Radiation Oncology; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
Record Identifier: 9984006325302771

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