MERKEL CELL-CARCINOMA - THE USE OF SURGERY AND RADIOTHERAPY FOR LOCOREGIONAL CONTROL

Merkel cell tumours are rare skin cancers with an unpredictable clinic al course. Correct diagnosis requiring immunohistochemical staining is essential since the treatment differs entirely from that of basalioma . Locally limited disease as well as rapidly fatal course have been ob served. In a small series of 5 patients and from literature data, surg ery continued with radiotherapy for locoregional control is advocated as optimal approach since this type of tumour can behave differently c ompared to basal cell carcinomas.