Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Introduction:
A very rare skin cancer from neuroendocrine origin. It is related to sun exposure. Both local and distant recurrences are common. However, despite the frequent metastases, CT findings of possible distant metastatic spread have a low specificity (i.e. mostly false positive).
Prevalence: Very Rare Metastasis Frequency: Common
References:
Ann Surg Oncol. 2001 Apr;8(3):204-8. PMID: 11314935
Arch Dermatol. 2006 Jun;142(6):685-90. PMID: 16785370
Primary Tumor:
Sorry, no description has been written for the primary tumor.
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Surrounding Tissue | Common | ||
| Distant Lymph Nodes | Common | ||
| Skin (Cutaneous and Subcutaneous) | Common | 
|
|
| Lung Parenchyma | Common | Nodule | |
| Local Lymph Nodes | Common | CT sensitivity for local lymph node involvement is only 20%. |
|
| Brain | Uncommon |
|
|
| Bone | Uncommon |