Sarcoid Reaction Associated With Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Sarcoid Reaction Associated With Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Introduction: Although the association between cancer and sarcoidosis or sarcoid reaction is known, sarcoid reaction associated with Merkel cell carcinoma is rare.
Case presentation: We report the case of a 57-year-old Japanese woman with Merkel cell carcinoma in the inguinal area associated with sarcoid reaction. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography demonstrated elevated fluorodeoxyglucose uptake by mediastinal lymph nodes and at the carcinoma site. Histopathologically, the mediastinal lymph nodes contained no Merkel cell carcinoma components. Sarcoid lesions were identified. Systemic examinations returned no sarcoidosis-specific findings.
Conclusion: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic scans can be used to assess neoplastic lesions and depict sarcoidosis. Sarcoid reactions must be considered in the interpretation of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic scans.
Sarcoidosis, a common systemic disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized by the formation of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas. The lungs, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, skin, eyes, small bones of the hands and feet and the salivary glands are most often affected. A diagnosis of sarcoid reaction is made when localized epithelioid granulomas are found without signs of systemic sarcoidosis. They are attributable to infections, foreign materials, gastrointestinal diseases and malignant tumors. The reported incidence of sarcoid reactions in carcinoma is 4.4%; in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and mucous membranes, it is 13.0%. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive skin cancer that is thought to arise from cutaneous Merkel cells which are neuroendocrine cells. We present the case of a patient with Merkel cell carcinoma associated with sarcoid reaction.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Introduction: Although the association between cancer and sarcoidosis or sarcoid reaction is known, sarcoid reaction associated with Merkel cell carcinoma is rare.
Case presentation: We report the case of a 57-year-old Japanese woman with Merkel cell carcinoma in the inguinal area associated with sarcoid reaction. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography demonstrated elevated fluorodeoxyglucose uptake by mediastinal lymph nodes and at the carcinoma site. Histopathologically, the mediastinal lymph nodes contained no Merkel cell carcinoma components. Sarcoid lesions were identified. Systemic examinations returned no sarcoidosis-specific findings.
Conclusion: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic scans can be used to assess neoplastic lesions and depict sarcoidosis. Sarcoid reactions must be considered in the interpretation of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic scans.
Introduction
Sarcoidosis, a common systemic disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized by the formation of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas. The lungs, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, skin, eyes, small bones of the hands and feet and the salivary glands are most often affected. A diagnosis of sarcoid reaction is made when localized epithelioid granulomas are found without signs of systemic sarcoidosis. They are attributable to infections, foreign materials, gastrointestinal diseases and malignant tumors. The reported incidence of sarcoid reactions in carcinoma is 4.4%; in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and mucous membranes, it is 13.0%. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive skin cancer that is thought to arise from cutaneous Merkel cells which are neuroendocrine cells. We present the case of a patient with Merkel cell carcinoma associated with sarcoid reaction.
