Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Between 1980 and 2002, 86 patients diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma were treated with curative intent at Westmead Hospital, Sydney. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis. Disease-free survival and overall survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 75 years (range 46-89 years) in 49 men and 37 women. Median duration of follow up was 31 months (range 6-153 months). Fifty-one (59%) patients presented with a primary lesion, 19 (22%) with a primary lesion and clinical nodal disease and 16 (19%) with lymph node metastases from an unknown primary. A total of 47 of 86 (55%) relapsed with regional nodal relapse, the commonest site of first relapse. Local relapse was similar for patients undergoing surgery (5/37; 14%) compared with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (3/25; 12%). Nodal relapse occurred in 14 of 36 (37%) treated with surgery compared with 7 of 38 (18%) patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy experienced a better median disease free survival compared to those undergoing surgery alone (10.5 months vs 4 months; P < 0.01). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rate for the entire study population was 47% and 25%, respectively. Twenty-six patients (30%) died as a result of Merkel cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Michael J Veness, Lakmalie Perera, Junie McCourt, Jennifer Shannon, T Michael Hughes, Gary J Morgan, Val Gebski |
Journal | ANZ journal of surgery
(ANZ J Surg)
Vol. 75
Issue 5
Pg. 275-81
(May 2005)
ISSN: 1445-1433 [Print] Australia |
PMID | 15932436
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
(therapeutic use)
- Carcinoma, Merkel Cell
(drug therapy, radiotherapy, surgery)
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Humans
- Lymphatic Metastasis
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
- Skin Neoplasms
(drug therapy, radiotherapy, surgery)
- Survival Rate
- Treatment Outcome
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