Development and rapid dissemination of Merkel-cell carcinomatosis following therapy with fludarabine and rituximab for relapsing follicular lymphoma.

Abstract

This report deals with an unusual case of a patient with follicular small cleaved lymphocytic lymphoma who developed Merkel-cell carcinoma soon after receiving chemoimmunotherapy with a fludarabine-containing regimen and rituximab. The presentation of the Merkel-cell carcinoma in this patient was atypical because of the absence of dermal involvement and the very rapid clinical progression. In the light of recent reports which suggest a possible link between the immunocompromised state and the development of Merkel-cell carcinoma, the atypical presentation seen in this patient may indeed imply a possible link between the therapy given and the development of Merkel-cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation of Merkel-cell carcinoma appearing in a patient soon after treatment with fludarabine and/or rituximab.

• Authors: Yossi Cohen, Gail Amir, Aaron Polliack
• Journal: European journal of haematology (Eur J Haematol) Vol. 68 Issue 2 Pg. 117-9 (Feb 2002) ISSN: 0902-4441 [Print] England
• PMID: 12061321 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Rituximab
• Vidarabine
• fludarabine

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Carcinoma, Merkel Cell (etiology, pathology)
• Humans
• Lymphoma, Follicular (drug therapy, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms, Second Primary (etiology, pathology)
• Recurrence
• Rituximab
• Salvage Therapy
• Vidarabine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)