Secondary Merkel Cell Carcinoma Arising From a Graft Donor Site. Issue 2 (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aloraifi, Fatima; Mulgrew, Stephen; James, Nick K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery. Volume 21:Issue 2(2017:Mar./Apr.)
• Page Start: 167
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Merkel cell tumour -- donor site morbidity -- tumour seeding -- skin graft; Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Canada -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1177/1203475416676805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1203-4754

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumour that is increasing in incidence. We report a case of a 92-year-old white man on long-term immunosuppression for temporal arteritis who presented with a Merkel cell tumour on his left cheek. A wide local excision was performed and the defect was reconstructed with a full-thickness skin graft. Four years later, the patient re-presented with a Merkel cell tumour arising from the right supraclavicular donor site. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a recurrence of MCC into a donor site. This has important implications as a reminder of planning fresh surgical instruments and needle inoculation for reconstruction if there is any clinical suspicion of MCC to prevent iatrogenic spread.