TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment of primary Merkel cell carcinoma
T2 - Radiotherapy can be an effective, less morbid alternative to surgery
AU - Hong, Angela M.
AU - Stretch, Jonathan R.
AU - Thompson, John F.
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - The standard treatment approach for localised Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is wide surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. However extensive surgery for locally advanced MCC may cause morbidity and disfigurement, compromise function and delay adjuvant therapy. Since MCC is a highly radiosensitive tumour, an alternative treatment option for advanced MCCs, especially those in anatomically challenging locations, is radiotherapy. Complete and durable control is achieved in up to 90% of cases if the definitive treatment of primary MCC is with radiotherapy. It is generally less morbid than surgery and can produce excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes.
AB - The standard treatment approach for localised Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is wide surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. However extensive surgery for locally advanced MCC may cause morbidity and disfigurement, compromise function and delay adjuvant therapy. Since MCC is a highly radiosensitive tumour, an alternative treatment option for advanced MCCs, especially those in anatomically challenging locations, is radiotherapy. Complete and durable control is achieved in up to 90% of cases if the definitive treatment of primary MCC is with radiotherapy. It is generally less morbid than surgery and can produce excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes.
KW - Merkel cell carcinoma
KW - Radiotherapy
KW - Surgery
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088784642&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejso.2020.05.013
DO - 10.1016/j.ejso.2020.05.013
M3 - Article
C2 - 32736916
AN - SCOPUS:85088784642
SN - 0748-7983
VL - 47
SP - 483
EP - 485
JO - European Journal of Surgical Oncology
JF - European Journal of Surgical Oncology
IS - 2
ER -