Spinal metastasis from merkel cell carcinoma in an elderly male

Kalah Jockisch; Yazan Abdeen; Carlisle Alderink; Tony Flippin; Sugabramya Kuru; Hamid Shaaban

doi:10.4103/ajns.AJNS_5_18

Asian Journal of Neurosurgery, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Asian J Neurosurg 2020; 15(01): 128-131
DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_5_18

Case Report

Spinal metastasis from merkel cell carcinoma in an elderly male

Authors

Kalah Jockisch

Department of Internal Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, Tennessee
Yazan Abdeen

¹Department of Pulmonary, Mercy Hospital, Fort Smith, AR
Carlisle Alderink

²Department of Pathology, Mercy Hospital, Fort Smith, AR
Tony Flippin

³Department of Oncology, Mercy Hospital, Fort Smith, AR
Sugabramya Kuru

⁴St. Michael's Medical Center, Newark, NJ
Hamid Shaaban

⁵Department of Medical Oncology, St. Michaels Medical Center, Affiliate of New York Medical College, Newark, NJ

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy that has an aggressive nature. Classically, it affects the elderly Caucasian population with a predilection for the sun-exposed areas of the body. Pathogenesis has been linked to ultraviolet radiation, immunosuppression, and the Merkel cell polyomavirus. Definitive diagnosis entails histologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining. With its generalized appearance and tendency for metastasis, a high index of suspicion must be utilized. In this case, we present the unique presentation of Merkel cell carcinoma as a rapidly enlarging lymph node with metastatic disease to the spinal column presenting as new-onset low back and radicular pain.

Key-words:

Elderly - merkel cell carcinoma - spinal metastasis

Full Text

References

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