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Previous Volume 339:1247-1248 October 22, 1998 Number 17 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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To the Editor: Merkel-cell carcinoma is a very rare small-cell carcinoma of the skin.¹ Probably derived from Merkel cells, the mechanoreceptors located in the basal layer of the epidermis, these tumors are asymptomatic, solitary, small red-purple subcutaneous nodules.² Most are found in elderly persons at sites exposed to the sun. The two-year survival rate is about 50 percent.³ As is the case for non-melanoma skin cancers, especially squamous-cell cancers, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and, possibly, ionizing radiation are risk factors for Merkel-cell carcinoma.

Since 1975, we have prospectively studied 1380 patients with psoriasis who were treated with oral methoxsalen (psoralen) . . . [Full Text of this Article]

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

• The Rockville Merkel Cell Carcinoma Group, (2009). Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Recent Progress and Current Priorities on Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Management. JCO 27: 4021-4026 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Sihto, H., Kukko, H., Koljonen, V., Sankila, R., Bohling, T., Joensuu, H. (2009). Clinical Factors Associated With Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst 101: 938-945 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Shuda, M., Feng, H., Kwun, H. J., Rosen, S. T., Gjoerup, O., Moore, P. S., Chang, Y. (2008). T antigen mutations are a human tumor-specific signature for Merkel cell polyomavirus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105: 16272-16277 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• zur Hausen, H. (2008). A specific signature of Merkel cell polyomavirus persistence in human cancer cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105: 16063-16064 [Full Text]  
• Pectasides, D, Pectasides, M, Economopoulos, T (2006). Merkel cell cancer of the skin. Ann Oncol 17: 1489-1495 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Goessling, W., McKee, P. H., Mayer, R. J. (2002). Merkel Cell Carcinoma. JCO 20: 588-598 [Full Text]  
• Tsao, H. (2001). Genetics of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer. Arch Dermatol 137: 1486-1492 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Miller, R. W., Rabkin, C. S. (1999). Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma: Etiological Similarities and Differences. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 8: 153-158 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• (1998). Merkel-Cell Carcinoma in Patients Treated with PUVA. Journal Watch Dermatology 1998: 11-11 [Full Text]