A malignant cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor with features of Merkel cell carcinoma and differentiating neuroblastoma.

Abstract

We report an unusual primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma that shows histologic and immunohistochemical features of ganglioneuroblastoma/differentiating neuroblastoma. The neoplasm is composed predominantly of small atypical neoplastic cells embedded in distinct clusters of immature and mature ganglion cells with associated neuropil. The neoplastic cells show strong perinuclear staining for cytokeratin 20 (CK20) with a dot-like pattern, supporting our contention that this is an unusual variant of Merkel cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, ganglioneuroblastoma-like differentiation has not been previously described in Merkel cell carcinoma.

• Authors: Vijay Vanchinathan, Elena C Marinelli, Reena V Kartha, Alison Uzieblo, Mahendra Ranchod, Uma N Sundram
• Journal: The American Journal of dermatopathology (Am J Dermatopathol) Vol. 31 Issue 2 Pg. 193-6 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1533-0311 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19318809 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biopsy
• Carcinoma, Merkel Cell (pathology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Ganglioneuroblastoma (pathology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuroblastoma (pathology)
• Neuroectodermal Tumors (pathology)
• Skin Neoplasms (pathology)