Case report

Ileocaecal recurrence of Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin: a case report

Michelle Cheung , Henry Lee , Sanjay Purkayastha , Robert Goldin and Paul Ziprin

Academic Surgical Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2010, 4:43doi:10.1186/1752-1947-4-43

Published:	8 February 2010

Abstract

Introduction

Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon skin malignancy that has a high propensity for metastatic spread. A systematic literature search identified 17 cases describing metastasis to the gastrointestinal tract, with 7 cases involving the small or large bowel. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only case described of Merkel cell carcinoma metastasising to the ileocaecal valve.

Case presentation

We present a 74-year-old Filipino woman diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin with regional node involvement. Following excision and radiotherapy, the tumour recurred with metastasis to the ileocaecal valve. The patient died 28 months after the initial diagnosis.

Conclusion

The prognosis of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma is poor. Currently the optimal management for metastatic disease is unclear and lacks a firm evidence base due to the small number of cases reported.